2024-02-11 23:08:42
The authorities must guarantee fundamental freedoms, supervise security forces and restore access to the Internet
DAKAR, Senegal, February 6, 2024 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-On February 3, Senegalese President Macky Sall announcement that the presidential election, scheduled for February 25, would be postponed indefinitely. This decision came the day before the start of the official campaign and increases the risks of new repressive measures against opponents.
This is the first time in the history of Senegal that elections have been postponed. In announcing this postponement, Macky Sall spoke of an institutional crisis which, according to him, could harm the credibility of the election. He also reiterated his commitment not to run himself.
In January, the Constitutional Council decided to exclude several candidates from the ballot, including opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade, son of former president Abdoulaye Wade. The Senegalese parliament has set up a commission of inquiry to examine the way in which the Council managed the selection process after accusations of corruption against at least two judges of this Council.
« It’s a leap into the void said Alioune Tine, a leading human rights activist. “ The brutal and unconstitutional postponement of the elections plunges Senegal into uncertainty and violence. »
On February 4, security forces fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who had taken to the streets of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in protest against Macky Sall’s decision. The gendarmes arrested numerous demonstrators, including the former prime minister and opposition presidential candidate, Aminata Toure, and Anta Babacar Ngom, also a candidate, who were released the next day. Another presidential candidate, Daouda Ndaiye, told Human Rights Watch that the gendarmes beat and brutalized him during the demonstration. On February 5, security forces again used tear gas to disperse opposition members and activists gathered in front of the National Assembly as deputies met to vote on postponing the election.
Human Rights Watch has previously documented excessive use of force by security forces, including firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters. At least 37 people have been killed during violent clashes since March 2021, with no accountability established.
On February 4, the Senegalese Minister of Communication removed from the airwaves the private television channel Walf TV for “ incitement to violence ”, and has announcement measures to restrict access to mobile internet for security reasons.
Senegal has long been considered a model of democracy in the region. This status is now threatened. Authorities should act to prevent violence, contain abuses by security forces and end their attacks on the opposition and the media. They should respect freedom of speech, expression and assembly, and restore the Internet, to put Senegal back on the path to democracy.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for Human Rights Watch.