Two Kill As Deadly Protests Erupt Across Senegal Amid Election Postponement

Dakar, Senegal– At least two people were confirmed dead after swept through Senegal on Friday.

It was gathered that the security forces dispersed demonstrators as they attempted to gather, leading to fatal consequences in both Saint-Louis and Dakar, according to local media reports.

The victims, identified as two young men in their twenties, fell victim to the violent clashes. In Saint-Louis, a student was tragically killed on a school campus following demonstrations in the northern city, as confirmed by a statement from the public prosecutor’s office.

The unrest stems from President Sall’s recent decision to postpone the presidential elections, originally slated for this month.

The announcement, made just hours before the commencement of official campaigning, has sparked widespread outrage among the populace.

President Sall defended the postponement, citing a dispute between parliament and the Constitutional Council regarding aspiring candidates who were barred from standing.

He expressed a desire to swiftly organize a national dialogue to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

Opposition lawmakers have challenged the decision at the Constitutional court, while presidential candidates have turned to the Supreme Court for recourse.

Amid the turmoil, a new wave of protests is scheduled for Tuesday (Feb. 13), further heightening tensions across the nation.

The unrest has not been confined to Senegal alone, as Senegalese communities in the diaspora have also mobilized.

In France, where a significant Senegalese population resides, demonstrations erupted in major cities, including Paris, Bordeaux, and Nice, signaling solidarity with their compatriots back home.

As Senegal grapples with escalating unrest and political uncertainty, the path to a peaceful resolution remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the nation’s democratic process and stability.