Senegal: Protests Erupt In Dakar Against President Sall

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Senegalese capital Dakar, on Friday, May 12, 2023, against President Macky Sall's refusal to rule out standing for a third term in office.

The "Movement of the living forces of Senegal F24" group, which alludes to the election's scheduled date of February 24, 2024, organized the protests.

Sall's unwillingness to rule out running for a third term as president—a move his opponents claim would be unconstitutional—has heightened tensions.

Famo Dabo, a protester, gave a justification for her attendance.

"We came here to liberate Senegal, to tell Macky Sall that he has to stop his dictatorial path," she declared. 

"We are tired of him, we don't want him any more, and we tell him, 'Enough.' He just has to free the political prisoners. 

"We merely ask that he leave Senegal because we want peace and don't want any conflicts with anyone".

A coalition of more than 170 political and human rights organizations, the Senegal F24 group is working to put pressure on Sall to withdraw from the 2024 election.

At the demonstration, representatives of opposition groups and prominent individuals demanded that Sall step down from office and free more than 300 "political detainees."

Mamadou, a different demonstrator, stated: "Senegalese democracy is in a coma. Why is it unconscious? The unfettered involvement of political actors in elections, the most basic democratic premise, is prejudiced and violated. 

"President Macky Sall consistently obstructs our nation's democratic process."

Many protestors offered their support for opposition politician Ousmane Sonko, who was recently condemned to a six-month suspended prison sentence for defamation and insults directed at the tourism minister, jeopardizing his candidacy for president.

Mamadou feels the sentence was imposed for political reasons. 

"There will be no elections in this country without the candidate Ousmane Sonko, we do not fool ourselves, we do not fool ourselves." 

"And we will adopt a defensive posture to impose this righteous candidacy, whatever the cost." We shall not be exploited; this country is ours; this country has given us everything; this country has given us everything. 

"We are the youth of this country and we want Ousmane Sonko, it is as simple as that."

The opposition has accused Sall's government of targeting potential challengers through the legal system.

Although it is widely assumed that Sall will run for office, he has not confirmed or rejected this.