By Mama A. Touray
A pro-democracy network has condemned the decision of the Senegalese’s parliament to postpone the February 25 election, calling the move “unfair and non-inclusive manner in which the vote was secured”.
West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), an independent and a non-partisan network of diverse national and transnational civil society organizations, came up with the condemnation in a press release made after the postponement of the election from February 25th to December 15, 2024.
“The new date, which unconstitutionally extends the term of President Macky Sall, sets a dangerous and unlawful precedent for Senegal and the region,’’ the network stated. “We support calls by Senegalese civil society and pro-democracy actors for a new date for the presidential election to be promptly settled through an inclusive process” the release added.
WADEMOS went on to remind President Sallof the pledge he made to the people of Senegalin his address to the nation on July 3rd, 2023, that he had no desire or intention to stay in power beyond the end of his constitutionally mandated term.
The statement notes that the unilateral action of President Macky Sall, has thrust Senegal into a needless political and constitutional crisis, which they believe represents a disappointing setback for Senegal and a blot on the image of a country that has made steady and exemplary progress in building a stable democratic society underpinned by respect for the rule of law.
“While we take note of the reasons offered by President Sall for his unprecedented action, we underscore the concerns and objections raised by Senegalese civil society and a broad spectrum of Senegalese political society, including, notably, that the President’s action affronts the Constitution of the Republic of Senegal in multiple ways.”
The release further stated that President Sall’sunilateral action, was announced when scheduled elections were less than a month away, which is said to have contravened the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, Section 2, Article 2(1) of which expressly frowns upon any reform or change in the electoral laws or processes “six months preceding elections, without the consent of a large majority of political players.”
Meanwhile, WADEMOS urged the citizens of Senegal “to keep their protests peaceful, non-violent, and entreat the state authorities to exercise maximum restraint, consistent with respect for the sanctity of human life, in the manner of their response to citizens who are exercising their democratic and constitutional right to express their justified displeasure and anger at these disturbing developments.’’
They further urged ECOWAS “to seize this opportunity to send an unequivocal message that it stands resolute in its commitment to defend democracy and the rule of law in the region and enforce its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, without fear or favor, affection or ill-will towards any regime or political leader.’’