In his address to the Senegalese people on Saturday, President Macky Sall announced he was postponing the country’s February 25 election citing security concerns.
“The Gambian Civil Society hereby wishes to state categorically that it has great reservations about the position taken by President Macky Sall, which is not only a violation of the Constitution but also a threat to the peace and stability of both Senegal and The Gambia, and undermines the democratic gains Senegal has registered over the years. We note with deep dismay that after serving his full two terms, President Macky Sall, who enjoyed a peaceful transfer of power from former President Abdoulaye Wade in 2012, would end his tenure and legacy by creating an unnecessary legal and institutional crisis in his country.”
“In line with democratic principles and the rule of law, the verdict of the Constitutional Council should have been respected by all parties. Those who stand affected by its decisions have a right to seek legal redress through due process. Hence, we do not hold the view that the disqualification of a Presidential candidate or allegations of corruption against Judges warrants the postponement of a Presidential election. Those who allege have a right and opportunity to go to court, but the democratic process must not be made to suffer and plunge the country into chaos as is evident over the past 48 hours with violent clashes in the cities and towns of Senegal since the announcement of the postponement.”
“The Gambia Civil Society is indeed deeply concerned by the recent events in Senegal orchestrated by the Government of President Sall. These events relate to the incidence of arbitrary arrest, detention, torture of political opponents, Civil Society actors, Journalists, and ordinary citizens for merely expressing dissent. We have noted with great concern the hundreds of Senegalese under detention without trial including Presidential candidates while groups, parties and media houses are either banned or closed for merely exercising their democratic rights.”
