Protests erupted in Dakar as citizens expressed their outrage over President Macky Sall’s decision to delay the presidential election from February 25 to December 15, 2024. The demonstrations, organized by civil society and a coalition of political parties, saw clashes between protesters and police forces.
The protesters gathered at Place de la Nation in Dakar and various other districts on Friday, February 8, marking the beginning of a campaign against the Sall government. Reports from the scene described confrontations between police and groups of young demonstrators seeking to assemble near Place de la Nation.
The tension escalated with the reported death of a student from Gaston Berge University in Saint-Louis, allegedly due to a live bullet injury. Additionally, there were reports of tear gas being fired at protesters, including women journalists, and numerous arrests were made in a highly charged atmosphere.
Earlier in the day, teachers set the tone for the protests with school walkouts. President Sall had instructed the government to take measures to calm the public space following the unrest.
The demonstrations showcased the magnitude of the public’s reaction to the election postponement, marking one of the largest displays of public action since the country’s independence in 1960. Despite this, there was no public response from the authorities regarding the continuation of protests at Place de la Nation.
The Aar Sunu Election collective further called for solidarity by asking Christians to dress in white during Sunday prayers and announced plans for a demonstration on Tuesday, February 13. The clashes between police and demonstrators persisted late into Friday night.
The postponement of the presidential poll has sparked a wave of unrest, and the situation in Senegal remains tense as citizens continue to express their dissent.
