Delayed: Supporters of the opposition presidential candidate are protesting at Dakar's Saint-Lazare intersection following the postponement of Senegal's presidential election on February 25th.Photo: Jem Osdell/Getty Images
SAssane Fall, wearing clothes on a pile of old clothes in Dakar's Coloban market, said he was “hurt” after Senegal's parliament's decision to postpone the presidential election.
Like many residents of the capital, Fall is proud of his country's democratic principles, a peaceful foreign country in coup-ravaged West Africa.
But Senegal is now in its worst crisis in decades after President Macky Sall announced on Saturday that the February 25 vote would be postponed.
It was the date that “belongs”[ed] “This was the day the people chose their elected representatives, but Macky Sall took that right away from 18 million Senegalese,” Fall said.
On Monday, lawmakers approved a postponement until Dec. 15, paving the way for Sall to continue in office until his successor takes office, possibly in 2025.
Sall said he postponed the vote due to disputes between parliament and the Constitutional Council over the rejection of candidates and concerns about unrest similar to those seen in 2021 and 2023.
But opposition parties suspect the delay is part of the president's campaign's plan to avoid defeat or extend Sall's term.
The move sparked widespread protests, with sporadic incidents on the streets, which were quelled by security forces.
“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do. When we demonstrate, they are suppressed with tear gas,” Fall said.
His comments drew support from fellow traders at the market in the capital's working-class district by the sea.
The bill passed almost unanimously on Monday, but a vote was blocked after security forces stormed parliament and removed some opposition lawmakers.
While MPs fought in parliament, many traders in Dakar had closed their shops, fearing riots, looting, fires and blockades.
The capital and the wider country have experienced several riots in recent years.
In 2021 and 2023, violent protests left dozens of people dead and hundreds arrested, leading to the closure of universities and the dissolution of the anti-establishment political party Pastev.
For many people who make a living, a day without work can mean a day with little to eat.
“I didn't leave the house yesterday. [Monday] Because of the protests,'' said Tara Sal, who sells packaging bags. “I lost money.”
At Sandaga Market, another shopping hotspot in the capital, shops began to gradually reopen from Tuesday.
However, Moussa Sek, who operated a stall offering various services such as mobile phone money transfers, was racking up losses.
The government suspended internet access on mobile phones early Monday, citing the spread of “hateful and destructive messages” on social media.
“Yesterday was a dead day for us. Our work was hampered by demonstrations and mobile data cutoffs,” Seck said.
“Without data, customers can't send money. We usually have more than 100 customers a day. We couldn't even get half of them. It's depressing because no customers have come yet.”
Small traders and delivery drivers rely on social media for business and are severely affected by restrictions on mobile internet access. Remittances sent to the country by Senegalese living abroad also play a significant economic and social role.
The economic woes worsened when authorities temporarily banned the use of mopeds and motorcycles in Dakar on Monday.
“Every time there is political tension, it is us delivery workers who suffer,” said Bai Sheikh Diouf. “I can't trust the organization anymore.”
Clothing seller Abdullahi Toure was more defiant, but he couldn't help but drift toward despair.
“We trust in God. We are resilient. We do our duty. We work by the sweat of our brow. But it is difficult. People lose hope. “We’re starting,” he said. —AFP
