In Senegal, Authorities Ban March against Postponement of Presidential Election

The Senegalese authorities have banned a large silent march called for by civil society on Tuesday 13 February in Dakar against the postponement of the presidential election and the extension of the mandate of the head of state, Macky Sall, which has sparked widespread outrage.

The march is in doubt, Elimane Haby Kane, one of the organizers, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on behalf of the new collective Aar Sunu Election (“Let’s Protect Our Election”). The collective, which brings together several dozen labor organizations and civic and religious groups, is expected to speak later in the day, he said. Kane confirmed that he had received a letter from the prefecture banning the march. The letter, posted on social media, said the demonstration “risks seriously disrupting” traffic.