The government has temporarily shut down mobile internet in Senegal after protests erupted over President Macky Sall’s decision to delay the presidential election.Ishieldpoint reported that Communication Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam emphasised the need to take action to stop the spread of “hateful and subversive messages circulated on social networks in a context of threats of disruptions to public order.”
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| Senegal President, Macky Sall |
Sall had on Saturday announced the indefinite delay of the presidential election, which was initially set to take place on February 25, just hours before official campaigning was supposed to start.AFP reports that this is the first time a Senegalese presidential election has been delayed.
The decision comes after a dispute between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court over the rejection of candidates.
The Economic Community of West African States expressed worry over the postponement of the presidential election.
Today, lawmakers will debate a bill that proposes scheduling the presidential election for August 25 and allowing President Sall to stay in office until his successor is formally sworn in.
Several dozen protesters could be heard shouting “Macky Sall dictator” outside the parliament on Monday, referring to the incumbent president, after being dispersed by security forces, as reported by the AFP.
The protesters are reportedly being mobilised by opposition figures.
Prime Minister and opposition candidate, Aminata Touré, announced on social media that she had been freed after being arrested during Sunday’s protest.
“Let us all mobilise to defend our democracy. No to the delay of the presidential election,” she said in an online post.
Another opposition candidate, Daouda Ndiaye, also said he was assaulted by police.
He shared on social media that he had been hospitalised but stressed the importance of holding an election 25th of February .
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