Protests rock Senegal following decision to postpone election by President Macky Sall

Senegal was on Sunday rocked by protests in response to the decision of President Macky Sall to postpone the much-awaited February 25 election. Some protesters were detained including a former Prime Minister…

The decision of President Macky Sall of Senegal to postpone the highly anticipated February poll has triggered protest in the country.

Macky Sall declared on Saturday that the election will be postponed due to a dispute over candidate eligibility, prompting a surge of criticism from opposition leaders and l concerns from the international community.

The announcement sparked protests on Sunday, with security officers firing tear gas to disperse hundreds of people in the capital, Dakar.

According to reports, a local privately owned TV station was cut off while broadcasting the protest live.

Former Prime Minister Aminata Touré and Anta Babacar Ngom, who is one of the presidential candidates in the postponed election, were arrested by the police.

Opposition described the postponement of the election as a constitutional coup despite his pledge not to run for another term.

Senegalese lawmakers are expected to examine a request to postpone the presidential election set for later this month later on Monday.

They will debate a proposal to hold the presidential election on 25 August and keep Mr Sall in government until a new president is elected.