Senegal's top court rules election delay unlawful

By Linda Bordoni

Senegal has been in turmoil since President Macky Sall earlier this month signed a decree postponing the election that was scheduled for February 25.

In a statement on Friday, February 16, ECOWAS invited stakeholders in the Senegalese government to set news dates for the presidential election in respect of the rule of law and ensure a free, inclusive and transparent vote.

Considered one of the pillars and watchdogs of the African Economic Community, ECOWAS’s intervention in Senegal’s crisis signals preoccupation of the almost 50-year-old bloc that held emergency talks on Thursday in Nigeria to discuss the political crisis in Senegal as well as ongoing disputes with military rulers in three other member states.

The U.S. Secretary of State this week also reportedly telephoned President Sall and urged him to restore the electoral calendar and timeline for presidential transition.

Widespread unrest

The unprecedented election delay has triggered widespread unrest and warnings of authoritarian overreach in the West African country that is seen as one of the most stable democracies in the region.

Archbishop Benjamin Ndiaye of Dakar is amongst those to have expressed concern for the postponement, reiterating the need to aspire towards national cohesion and institutions that respect the Constitution.

Reacting to the ruling on Friday, Dakar's government said the country's political factions would need to consult to find a way forward.

So the pressure is on the president and his ruling party, but a government spokesman has not yet said whether the presidency will abide by the Court's ruling.

"The answer lies in the Constitutional Council's decision, which calls on the competent authorities to set a new date for organising the elections as soon as possible," Sall's spokesperson reportedly told journalists.

Sall has previously said he delayed the election due to a dispute over the candidate list and alleged corruption within the constitutional council that would undermine the credibility of the poll.

Meanwhile, tension is high throughout Senegal and more protests are expected over the weekend. (Source Reuters and other News Agencies)