Mobile internet in Senegal has been temporarily shut down by the government following protests over President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election.
As reported by the BBC, Communications Minister Moussa Bokhar Thiam announced the move to prevent the spread of “hateful and destructive messages relayed on social networks against the backdrop of threats to disrupt public order.” He emphasized the need to raise awareness.
Sall had announced on Saturday that the presidential election, originally scheduled for February 25, would be postponed indefinitely, hours before formal campaigning began.
According to AFP news agency, this is the first time Senegal’s presidential election has been postponed.
The decision followed a disagreement between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court regarding the rejection of candidates.
The Economic Community of West African States expressed concern over the delay in the presidential election.
Today, lawmakers are scheduled to consider a bill proposing to schedule presidential elections for August 25 and allow Sall to remain in office until his successor is officially sworn in.
Dozens of demonstrators could be heard shouting “Macki Sall dictator” outside the Capitol on Monday, referring to the sitting president, as they were dispersed by security forces, AFP reported. That’s what it means.
The protesters are reportedly being summoned by anti-government figures.
Former prime minister and opposition candidate Aminata Touré announced on social media that she had been released after being arrested during Sunday’s protests, the BBC reported.
“Let’s all work together to protect our democracy. No to postponing the presidential election,” she said in an online post.
Another opposition candidate, Dauda Ndiayi, also claimed to have been attacked by police.
He announced on social media that he had been hospitalized, but stressed the importance of holding elections on February 25.
The hashtag #FreeSenegal is currently trending on X.