On Friday 9 February, the European Union called on the Senegalese authorities to “take the necessary measures to organise the presidential election as soon as possible, in accordance with the Senegalese Constitution and the ECOWAS Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance”, after the presidential election, due to take place on 25 February, was rescheduled for 15 December 2024.
“This decision has already had an impact on the country’s stability and social cohesion. We call on the Senegalese authorities to respect the legitimate aspirations of its citizens and all the nation’s active forces to preserve democracy. Fundamental freedoms, in particular the freedom to demonstrate peacefully and to express oneself publicly, are fundamental principles of the rule of law that the Senegalese authorities have a duty to guarantee”, emphasised a statement issued early on Friday evening by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the EU27.
“The European Union and Senegal have enjoyed close human, political and economic relations for decades. Senegal’s long and solid democratic tradition and shared values, such as the aspiration to dialogue and political consensus, have always been important elements of cooperation based on trust”, the EU points out.
“It is crucial for the credibility and inclusiveness of the election that all parties can effectively take part in decisions affecting the essential features of the electoral process, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and transparency”, the statement continues.
The EU had already expressed its concerns when President Macky Sall announced that the elections would be postponed indefinitely (see EUROPE 13343/11). The postponement of the presidential election by almost a year has since been voted by the Senegalese National Assembly in the absence of opposition MPs, who were violently removed by the forces of law and order. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)