‘Needless political crisis’ — West African CSOs fault postponement of Senegal election

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) says the postponement of the election in Senegal is a “needless political and constitutional crisis”.

WADEMOS, an independent and non-partisan network of national civil society organisations in West Africa, reacted to the shifting of the election in Senegal in a statement on Monday.

The recent postponement of the election in Senegal has created tension among members of the political class and citizens in the country.

The election, which was scheduled for February 25, was postponed by Macky Sall, the incumbent president, over alleged problems with the “candidates list”.

After a week of pre-election assessment in the country, the organisation asked the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) not to disappoint the people of Senegal.

“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and the civil society community in Senegal in their just opposition to President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the country’s presidential election originally scheduled for February 25, 2024,” the statement reads.

“The unilateral action of President Macky Sall, which has thrust his country into a needless political and constitutional crisis, represents a disappointing setback for Senegal, 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 and an unbroken tradition of regular, free, fair and inclusive elections.

“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 president’s unilateral action, announced when scheduled elections were less than a month away, also contravenes 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.

“Conscious of accusations of double standards levelled against ECOWAS regarding its different responses to antidemocratic or unconstitutional acts depending on the identity or nature of the perpetrator, we strongly urge 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.

“ECOWAS should enforce its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will toward any regime or political leader. ECOWAS must not let the people of Senegal and the region down.”

The organisation called on Sall to adhere to his promise not to run for a third term and urged the political society to work collectively to resolve the crisis.