Senegalese youths protest postponement of presidential election

Youths in Senegal have staged a protest against the postponement of the February 25 presidential election in the country.

Macky Sall, president of Senegal, had recently announced the postponement, citing “problems with the candidate list” validated by members of the constitutional council.

Members of the country’s parliament had subsequently voted to delay the election till December 15.

The postponement was viewed by many as an attempt by Sall to extend his term in power which is expected to end in April.

During the protest on Friday, security forces used teargas and grenades to disperse the protesters.

Absa Anne, a journalist in Senegal, and several others were arrested during the demonstration.

Mame Saliou Ndiaye, coordinator of F24 Thiès and former Thies regional coordinator of Y’en à Marre, was also arrested by the police.

The F24 is a group of organisations responsible for demonstrations in Thiès, a city in western Senegal.

Speaking with TheCable, Abdou Aziz Cissé, advocacy officer at AfricTivistes, a civil society organisation, said Ndiaye did not partake in the demonstration.

“He did not take part in any march, nor did he light any tyres or throw stones, he was simply going about his business,” Cissé said.

Cissé condemned the attack on press freedom, saying many journalists have been detained.

The activist also said the licence of the Walfadjri television channel was recently withdrawn by the government.