President Macky Sall of Senegal is facing mounting pressure after the decision to postpone the scheduled 25 February presidential election to December. The opposition says the move is a “constitutional coup” but the president says more time is needed to resolve a dispute over who is eligible to stand as a presidential candidate after several opposition contenders were barred. Last week, three people were killed and hundreds arrested in protests against the delay of the election. Senegal has long been seen as one of the most stable democracies in West Africa. It is the only country in mainland West Africa that has never had a military coup. It has had three largely peaceful handovers of power and never delayed a presidential election. But is that about to change? And what will the consequences of any political, social and economic turmoil for a country with a young population? Shaun Ley is joined by a panel of experts: Borso Tall - Freelance journalist based in the Senegalese capital Dakar, recipient of the Chevening scholar with The University of Glasgow and member of The International Women's Media Foundation. Paul Melly - Consulting fellow for the international affairs think tank Chatham House and a journalist specialising on development, politics and business issues in francophone Africa. Aanu Adeoye - West Africa correspondent for the Financial Times. Also in the programme: Dr Ndongo Samba Sylla -An economist who served as an adviser in the president's office. Image: Senegalese demonstrators protest against the postponement of the Feb. 25 presidential election, in Dakar, Senegal February 9, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Zohra Bensemra
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And this week, Senegal's leader once declared the president cannot extend his term of office, not even by one day.
So why does Macky Sal now seem to be doing just that?
The West African country has been plunged into chaos by his recent decision to delay for months the election of his successor.
His reason, A dispute over the eligibility of candidates.
As far as I am concerned, my.
Solemn pledge not to run in the.
Presidential election remains unchanged.
I will facilitate an open national dialogue which will ensure free, transparent and inclusive elections, which will now take place in December, not this month.
Senegalese people seem unconvinced by the president's justification, especially the young.
60% of the population are under 25 years of age.
Many could be heard chanting, Makisal is a dictator, as they took to the streets.
We deserve freedom.
We have been a peaceful country, democratic country, and this president is not allowed to take our freedom just for free.
They're planning on keeping the power for another six months, but it's just a beginning.
It's just a beginning.