International bodies including Amnesty International and the United Nations have spoken out against recent events in Senegal, wherein protests against election delays resulted in fatalities. Both organizations have expressed grave concern over the excessive use of force by authorities and the curtailing of civil liberties.
Amnesty International spearheaded calls for a probe into the fatalities and allegations of police brutality meted out on protestors. According to their report, three people, including a 16-year-old boy, were tragically killed during the violent confrontations last week.
In a poignant rebuke of the Senegalese authorities, Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, accused them of demonstrating complete disregard for peaceful dissent. She urged for immediate and comprehensive investigations into the lethal use of force against the protestors. Notably, Senegal is bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, both of which mandate member states to protect the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.
These protests were sparked by President Macky Sall’s request to postpone the national elections. The claim of concern was the need for investigation into potential bribery charges against the constitutional judges responsible for approving all viable presidential candidates. Interestingly, the Senegalese Parliament had earlier agreed to delay elections until December 2024. Sall, holding power for 12 years and already served two terms as president, is ineligible for reelection as per the terms of Senegal’s Constitution.
However, Senegal has been experiencing a disturbing trend since 2021, with frequent crackdowns on protests, internet blackouts, and threats against media. In fact, Reporters Without Borders has been voicing concern since after the enactment of a law imposing harsher restrictions on press freedom. Despite reports from Amnesty International citing a minimum of 60 deaths associated with the recurring protests, to date, no prosecutions have been announced.
For more information, access the full report here.