The National Assembly voted to postpone the presidential election until December 15, 2024, after forcing out opposition deputies.

The Senegalese parliament accepted a bill aimed at postponing the presidential election, initially scheduled for February 25 to December 15, 2024, leaving the outgoing president in power until a new president takes office.

There is a risk of stress going up another level. On Monday February 5, an AFP reporter noted that the Senegalese parliament adopted in great confusion a bill aimed at postponing the presidential election scheduled for February 25 to December 15, 2024. The legislation was approved by 105 votes to 1.

But some opposition deputies who obstructed the vote were evicted by the gendarmerie of Manu Military. Arguments continued late into the evening, with some leading to blows. “Let’s not be an embarrassing assembly. When we leave here, let’s make sure that we can see our children proudly that we were the last wall”, said Abbas Fall, an opposition MP.

Around Parliament, racists repelled scattered attempts to gather at the opposition’s call with tear gas. Smaller groups retreated chanting more “Mackey cell dictator!”Named after the President of Senegal.

A concern of many states

Senegal, known as an island of stability in West Africa, has been in the grip of high tensions since President Macky Saele announced on Saturday the postponement of the February 25 presidential election, just hours before the start of the campaign.

This decision was strongly condemned by his opponents “Constitutional Rebellion” Plunges the country into the unknown and raises fears of a boiling point, which has not been confirmed for the moment. This created an uproar among civil society, including eligible candidates and religious circles. Authorities suppressed the first attempts at gatherings on Sunday.

Important partners of the Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the United States, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, Senegal expressed their concern.