Senegal: 13 opposition candidates join forces to protest against the postponement of the presidential election

There are 13 candidates out of the 20 on the final list to now form a collective. Among them, Amadou Ba, the representative of the candidate of ex-Pastef Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the deputies Déthié Fall and Thierno Alassane Sall, and the former minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye. All denounced a constitutional coup by Macky Sall to keep power beyond April 2, the date on which he was to cede it to his successor.

“His mandate expires on April 2. After this deadline, Macky Sall will no longer be recognized as President of the Republic. He will not be able to take any action that will commit Senegal,” declared Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, candidate and former minister.

A first appeal was filed with the Supreme Court on Monday to overturn the president's decree which cancels the convocation of the electoral body on February 25. The candidates who are also deputies will file another appeal as quickly as possible to the Constitutional Council to challenge the law passed on Monday which postpones the election to December 15.

And if the collective welcomes the American reaction which judges that the postponement of the vote “cannot be considered legitimate” or that of ECOWAS which calls for “reestablishing the electoral calendar”, candidates denounce a weak position of certain chancelleries Western countries and demand strong condemnation. “I expect the same position among the other chancelleries in this region,” criticized Déthié Fall.

Next step: a convergence of struggles with unions, civil society, and all Senegalese people. “We, therefore, call on all men, all unions, patriots, transporter organizations, the informal sector to mobilize within deadlines that will have to be defined very quickly,” launched Thierno Alassane Sall.

Discussions are underway to organize strikes and ghost town operations. Several candidates also plan to continue campaigning despite the postponement of the vote.