The indefinite postponement of the election has the effect of a bomb. An unprecedented decision that plunges the country into crisis. The opposition is calling for a coup. Even constitutionalists denounce the lack of a legal basis
Senegalese President Macky Sall created a surprise by announcing on Saturday the indefinite postponement of the presidential election scheduled for February 25. An exceptional decision in the history of the country which risks worsening the political crisis. For Babacar Gueye, professor of constitutional law, this announcement “is not based on any valid legal basis”.
Questioned by RFI, Mr. Gueye underlines that “we are not in an institutional crisis” and that “the institutions of the Republic are functioning correctly”. According to him, “There was no reason to take a decision aimed at postponing an election”. He analyzes this postponement as being motivated by “the desire to avoid elections being held at a later date, perhaps because the ruling candidate was not in a good position”.
The opposition reacted strongly to this “unacceptable” announcement. Ousmane Sonko, declared the candidate of the Pastef party, called for campaigning “as if nothing had happened”. Khalifa Sall, imprisoned former mayor of Dakar, asked the Senegalese to “stand up against this decision”. For Mr. Gueye, these political responses reflect “the frustration” of the candidates faced with the cancellation of their investment of several months.
Macky Sall spoke of the opening of a political dialogue but, according to the constitutionalist, “if it is a dialogue like the previous ones, I do not think that the opposition will agree to go there”. He warns: that any dialogue must be held “within the limits of the president’s mandate”, which ends on April 2. Otherwise, it would amount to “a constitutional coup.” With this unprecedented and controversial postponement, Senegal therefore seems more than ever engaged in a political impasse.
