Senegal Protests Over Delayed Presidential Election Leave Three Dead

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Protests in Senegal over the delay of the presidential election until December have resulted in a death toll that has risen to three individuals. This has raised concerns about the stability of one of the few remaining democracies in coup-prone West Africa.

The announcement of the postponement, just three weeks before the scheduled Feb. 25 vote, sparked violent clashes between protesters and police in Dakar and other cities. Many fear that this unrest could lead to prolonged instability in the country.

President Macky Sall defended the delay, citing electoral disputes that threatened the credibility of the upcoming poll. However, some opposition lawmakers have labeled the move as an “institutional coup.”

As public discontent grows, regional bloc ECOWAS and foreign nations have called on President Sall to return the country to a regular electoral schedule.

The death toll climbed to three after a young man reportedly died amid protests in the southern city of Zinguinchor on Saturday evening, according to Cartogra Free Senegal (CFS), a civil society platform tracking casualties.

Ndiame Diop, the manager of Ziguinchor Hospital, confirmed the death and stated that the cause of death could not be determined without an autopsy.

While the interior ministry has confirmed only one death, there are reports of additional casualties, including a 23-year-old merchant on the outskirts of Dakar.

The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs expressed sadness over the deaths and urged all parties to act peacefully. They called on President Sall to restore the electoral calendar and restore confidence to bring calm to the situation.

The next steps remain uncertain. Opposition lawmakers and presidential candidates who oppose the postponement have filed legal challenges and vowed not to recognize Sall as president after his original mandate ends in early April.

The postponement bill, supported by parliament, extends Sall’s tenure until his successor is elected after the rescheduled election on Dec. 15.

Opposition lawmaker Guy Marius Sagna announced plans to establish a parallel government of national unity if President Macky Sall does not relinquish power by April 3.