Senegal: Opposition demonstrations to be held nationwide on January 25 /update 1

Event

The Democratic and Social Front of National Resistance (FRN) and the Collectif 25 (C25) opposition coalitions have called for nationwide demonstrations to be held on Friday, January 25. According to the opposition parties, the demonstrations are being organized to demand that the February 24 presidential elections be free and fair, and to protest the Constitutional Council's decision to reject several candidacies. Demonstrations are expected to take place starting at 15:00 (local time) in the capital Dakar, as well as in Guédiawaye, Rufisque, and Saint-Louis. Heightened security measures and traffic disruptions are likely in the vicinity of the demonstrations. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

A similar demonstration was held in Dakar on January 15 to denounce the Constitutional Council's decision to reject the candidacies of numerous political leaders for the upcoming February 24 presidential elections, including those of former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade. Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade's candidacies were rejected for alleged corruption. Sall has been in prison since March 2017 on embezzlement charges but was elected to parliament in July 2017, without being able to take his seat.

Advice

Individuals in Senegal, and notably Dakar, are advised to avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, budget extra time to travel due to expected traffic disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.