Senegal Bans Protest Against Vote Delay, Cuts Mobile Internet

Senegalese authorities faced growing anger at home and renewed international pressure on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as the government suspended mobile internet and banned a march against the postponement of this month’s presidential poll.

Three people have been killed during violent protests since President Macky Sall pushed back the February 25 vote, plunging traditionally stable Senegal into one of its worst crises in decades.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Dakar it was “extremely important that all Senegalese have their right to demonstrate peacefully respected”.

He called for the situation to be “resolved through established constitutional means,” said Guterres’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Former colonial ruler France urged the West African nation to ensure a “proportionate” response to protests and reiterated its calls for the presidential poll to be held as soon as possible.

Demonstrations are subject to authorisation in Senegal, with authorities refusing to give the green light for many opposition rallies in recent years.

Unauthorised protests often descend into violent clashes and dozens have been killed since 2021, according to rights groups.

Security forces repressed demonstrations which took place on Friday.

“Senegalese authorities continue to display utter disregard for peaceful dissent,” said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

“Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigate the lethal use of force against protestors,” she added.

The United States embassy in Senegal also urged authorities to “fully respect” the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.