OPPOSITION leaders in Senegal slammed yesterday President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the February 25 presidential election.

As the political crisis over an electoral dispute between parliament and the judiciary in the west African country deepened, the regional bloc of nations called for urgent dialogue.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) called on Senegalese politicians to “prioritise dialogue and collaboration for transparent, inclusive and credible elections.”

Senegal has been embroiled in political tensions as a result of deadly clashes involving opposition supporters and the disqualification of two opposition leaders ahead of the crucial vote.

Several opposition figures rejected President Sall’s decision to postpone the election, with at least two of the 20 presidential candidates saying they would proceed with their campaigns.

President Sall’s tenure is scheduled to end on April 2. 

Senegal’s electoral code requires 80 days’ notice of an election, meaning the earliest a new vote could take place is the last week of April.

President Sall said he had taken the decision because of a dispute between the judiciary and federal lawmakers over the disqualification process and the reported dual nationality of some qualified candidates.

Myriam Kane, a member of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work Ethics and Fraternity, accused President Sall of staging an “institutional coup,” backed by France “and the imperialist leaders in Ecowas.” 

She said the country now urgently needed “the solidarity of allies and anti-imperialists.”

West Africa has seen a series of coups against pro-Western governments with military leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger rejecting French economic and military dominance of their countries. The three quit membership of Ecowas last month, saying it was a tool of foreign powers.