PROTESTERS took to the streets in Senegal’s capital yesterday to press President Mack Sall to hold elections quickly.

Hundreds of people walked and cycled through down town Dakar chanting “Macky dictator” while others called for the release of imprisoned opposition figures.

President Sall issued a decree earlier this month to postpone the presidential election originally scheduled for February 25, citing unresolved disputes over who could run. 

The National Assembly then voted to reschedule the election for December 15.

But the country’s Constitutional Council ruled on Thursday that those moves were unconstitutional and ordered the government to hold the election as soon as possible. 

President Sall said on Friday that his government would comply.

Election disputes have plunged Senegal into a political crisis that has sparked deadly protests and cuts to mobile internet. The unrest follows anti-imperialist coups in several neighbouring states.

At least three people have been killed by security forces and dozens injured.

Security forces did not try to break up yesterday’s protest, which remained peaceful.

Sall has been accused of trying to delay leaving office, something he has denied.