Since the announcement of the postponement of the presidential election, demonstrators have been repressed by the police.
In response, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday called on the Senegalese authorities "to use proportionate force" after the death of at least three young men in recent days during demonstrations against the postponement of the presidential election.
“France reiterates its call to the authorities to organize the presidential election as quickly as possible, in accordance with the Constitution of Senegal, and to guarantee public freedoms,” reacted Christophe Lemoine, deputy spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay in a press release, while arrests increased throughout the country, including of journalists.
Preserving the “democratic tradition”
Senegal is in the grip of one of its most serious political crises in recent decades since President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the presidential election on February 3, three weeks before the deadline.
His supporters in the National Assembly and those of Karim Wade, a disqualified candidate, then endorsed the postponement of the election to December 15 and the maintenance of President Sall in his post until his successor takes office, a priori so early 2025.
“France encourages all Senegalese actors to favor the path of dialogue and to preserve Senegal’s long democratic tradition,” Christophe Lemoine also declared.
Senegalese authorities have banned a major march planned by civil society on Tuesday in Dakar.