WHAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM OF POSTPONED ELECTIONS IN AFRICA?

Given the central role of governance in African security, the stakes of these elections are high, not only for democracy, but also for stability and development. As standards of governance, insecurity and economic dynamism are rarely confined by borders, the conduct and outcome of each of these elections will also have repercussions for their neighbors and the continent as a whole.

WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES' REACTION?

Following the postponement of Senegal's presidential election, the United States "is deeply concerned.

Washington considers that the Senegalese parliament's vote on Monday to postpone the presidential election is not "legitimate" and runs "counter to the country's strong democratic tradition".

This is the most critical reaction to date from one of Senegal's major partners to the country's serious political crisis. The United States considers that the Senegalese parliament's vote, which on Monday validated the postponement of the presidential election, is not "legitimate", declared the State Department in a press release on Wednesday February 7. American diplomacy "urges the government of Senegal to organize the presidential election in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws".

 HAS THE EUROPEAN UNION REMAINED SILENT?

For its part, the European Union called for the original timetable for the presidential election to be "restored". "The EU is very concerned by the postponement of the presidential election. This postponement tarnishes Senegal's long tradition of democracy and opens up a period of great uncertainty", said Nabila Massrali, spokeswoman for the European Commission.

The postponement of Senegal's election is "a dark stain on the country's history and a blow to West Africa".

Monday's adoption of the proposal by an alliance of deputies from the presidential camp and supporters of candidate Karim Wade, disqualified by the Constitutional Court, has plunged the country into a state of great fever and fear of further unrest, following the deadly ones in March 2021 and June 2023.

WHAT ARE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS IN SENEGAL?

Few Senegalese can say with any certainty what lies at the root of the problem surrounding the nebulous postponement of elections in Senegal.If we focus on the dreaded crisis that is hitting our country hard, with prices for basic necessities soaring (a kg of rice at 500f), and electricity bills soaring, can we refer to the ravages of the pandemic and the constant efforts of African countries in particular and the rest of the world to mobilize all their energies to avoid going under, as well as the trade union demands that are forcing modest-income countries to raise their standard of living to satisfy their incessant demands in the interests of establishing peace and stability in our countries to avoid the worst?

In this logic, can we say that every citizen has his or her share of responsibility?

And finally, can't such decisions be settled by referendum? 

These are just some of the questions that sow doubt in the minds of ordinary Senegalese.

A bon entendeur salut!