In Senegal, simmering discontent has intensified following the parliamentary decision to postpone the national election. As a result, widespread protests have erupted throughout the country, resulting in at least two deaths thus far. On Saturday, The Interior Ministry of Senegal announced the demise of a student at Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis amidst the civil unrest. An exclusive report from Agence France Presse (AFP) also alleges that another man perished in Dakar during the protests.
Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba addressed the death of student Alpha Yéro Tounkara in an announcement to the state-owned news agency, Agence de Presse Senegalaise (APS), vehemently denying any involvement of the Senegalese Defense and Security Forces during the on-campus protests. A judicial inquiry has been initiated by the Saint-Louis High Court into the circumstances surrounding Tounkara’s death. Meanwhile, students at the Alioune-Diop University of Bambey are now engaged in a 72-hour strike.
AFP additionally reported that a youth representing the market vendors of Dakar was fatally shot during protests, later succumbing to his injuries according to his family. However, these claims have yet to be confirmed by Senegalese authorities. An additional 17 individuals were also arrested in Kolda, Senegal in the wake of protest activity.
All of this unrest and upheaval comes on the heels of President Macky Sall’s call for the delay of national elections, citing alleged bribery charges involving constitutional judges who verify and vet all potential candidates. Despite fervent opposition to this move, the Senegalese Parliament approved the delay asserting rebellious lawmakers out of the assembly.
International reactions to this situation have been largely condemnatory, with both local protesters and global communities criticizing the administration’s restriction on media and internet access, and subsequent delay of the national elections. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urged the restoration of the electoral calendar, while the US Embassy in Dakar backed up ECOWAS’s sentiment in a released statement.
As per the current alert from the US Embassy in Dakar, protests persist, with expectations for continued demonstrations throughout the weekend. This socio-political turmoil in Senegal remains a topic of concern for legal professionals worldwide, as well as those keenly observing the global political landscape.