The Pan-African Alliance for Transparency and the Rule of Law (Patrol-Africa) expresses its deep concern at the situation prevailing in Senegal following the postponement of the presidential election that was scheduled for February 25, 2024, according to a decree dated November 29, 2023. This interruption, on the eve of the presidential election by a decree of February 3, 2024 repealing the decree of November 29, is all the more worrying as Senegal has a well-established tradition and reputation as a haven of peace, democracy and stability on the continent.

Whatever the reasons given by the Executive, there can be no justification for the decision to interrupt the electoral process. Following this decision, the Senegalese National Assembly drew up and adopted on February 5 a constitutional law postponing the presidential election to December 15, 2024, thereby extending the presidential term of office, which ends on April 2, 2024, and which cannot be extended without violating the Constitution.

Patrol-Africa is also deeply concerned by the violence observed since the postponement of the election. It calls on government authorities, the political class and all stakeholders to refrain from further violence. It urges the government to avoid any action likely to undermine national harmony, peace and stability. It also calls on the security forces to exercise the utmost restraint, to respect the right of citizens to go about their business peacefully and to demonstrate peacefully.

Regarding the postponement, Patrol-Africa calls for a free, fair and transparent election to be held as soon as possible, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Furthermore, in order to ease political tension and restore normalcy, Patrol-Africa calls on leaders and the political class to respect the country’s democratic tradition and resolve their differences through dialogue, popular participation in decision-making, and strict adherence to democratic principles in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Governance, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

In view of the above, Patrol-Africa, which works for good governance, respect for the rule of law and therefore for peace, calls on the authorities and institutions of the Republic of Senegal to restore constitutional legality, so that the nation can once again demonstrate the vivacity of its democracy, and to remain an example for its people and Africa