As tensions and uncertainty grow in Senegal following the postponement of the country’s presidential elections, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS has described the situation as s ''worrying development.''
The political crisis in Senegal is the latest to hit the region, which has seen a series of military coups including in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger whose juntas announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc.
For decades, Senegal has been praised as a beacon of democracy and political stability in West Africa.
But this reputation is now as risk following President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone presidential elections earlier scheduled for February 25.
Senegal's parliament has approved the postponement until December 15.
This essentially extends President Maky Sall's stay in office which was due to end on April 2nd.
After a heated session on Monday, MPs passed the bill for the election delay with 105 votes in favour and one opposed. An opposition party collaborated with the ruling coalition to adopt the law.
Chaotic scenes erupted in the chambers when some opposition MPs reportedly attempted to halt proceedings. Security personnel then forcibly removed the MPs from the chamber before the session resumed.
Security forces also blocked protests against the postponement outside the parliament. Shortly after President Sall announced the decision to reschedule the elections, protests erupted in the capital Dakar.
Foreign ministers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an extraordinary session on Thursday on the regional tension and urged Senegal to restore the presidential election timetable.
So, which direction is Senegal taking?
#senegal #westafrica #trtafrika
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