Senegal: Opposition announces future election boycott August 10 /update 1

Event

Former President Abdoulaye Wade announced on Wednesday, August 10, that his coalition of opposition parties, Wattu Senegal, will boycott any future election organized by the government of current President Macky Sall. The boycott comes after accusations of government-sponsored voter fraud and suppression. The next presidential election will take place in 2019.

Further election-related protests are possible, as are violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators.

Context

On Monday, July 31, current President Macky Sall's coalition announced victory in the 2017 legislative elections held on Sunday, July 30, winning the vote in 42 out of 45 departments in Senegal. Opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade denounced the victory as illegitimate and accused Sall of committing voter fraud. Severe delays were reported at several polling stations and there were multiple reports of voters having been removed from voter registration lists.

President Sall, of the Alliance for the Republic political party, has experienced wavering popularity amid complaints he has not done enough to improve the lives of Senegalese citizens. Former President Abdoulaye Wade returned to the country on July 10 to lead the Senegalese Democratic Party into the legislative elections. Wade lost to Sall in the 2012 general election runoff and subsequently left the country.

Advice

Individuals in Dakar and across the country are advised to remain vigilant, monitor the situation via local media, and avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering as a precaution.

On a more general note, despite Senegal's status as a relatively safe country, the presence of terrorist groups in the Saharan region and Senegal's participation in military operations against these groups have increased the underlying terrorist risk in the country. All those present in Dakar are advised to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects or behavior. Abide by all instructions issued by the authorities and carry the proper visa or other identifying documentation at all times in case of a security check. Furthermore, certain Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the Casamance region (with the exception of zones around Oussouye and Cap Skirring, considered secure) and along the Malian and Mauritanian borders due to security concerns.