For all the whingeing and whining over colonialism, it’s notable that most of post-colonial Africa hasn’t exactly been a model of stable democracy and human rights. One exception has been Senegal. Even last year, it was ranked as the fourth most stable democracy in Africa.
And now…?
Riot police fired tear gas to break up crowds trying to gather outside Senegal’s National Assembly today to protest against the president’s abrupt postponement of elections over the weekend.
As protesters shouted slogans, lawmakers inside the parliament building started debating a bill that would reschedule the February 25 vote to Aug. 25 and extend President Macky Sall’s mandate until his successor is installed.
Sall’s unprecedented announcement on Saturday pitched the West African nation into uncharted constitutional waters that threaten to further tarnish its reputation as a bastion of democratic stability in a region swept by coups.
“They are trying to extend the president’s term, which is illegal and not allowed,” protester Mohammad Mbengue said.
Malay Mail
To paraphrase Darth Vader, be thankful they don’t extend it further. African leaders have a penchant for appointing themselves President-for-Life.
The government isn’t just using tear gas and batons, either. Possibly taking tips from its new patron, China, Sall’s goons are imposing an information blackout on the country as well.
Some local media outlets reported that violence started during the protest when police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, who responded by throwing stones at them.
Later that evening, Senegalese authorities suspended the signal of Walf TV, a private television channel, accusing it of inciting violence.
Separately, the government suspended mobile internet access in an attempt to quell protests.
A statement issued on Monday by the Communication Ministry said that mobile data is temporarily suspended from Sunday at 10 p.m. local time (2200GMT) due to the “dissemination of several hateful and subversive messages relayed on social networks in a context of threats of disturbances to public order.”
Local media reported that residents were unable to access mobile internet on Monday.
It’s not the first time they’ve pulled this trick, either.
In June of last year, the government restricted mobile internet access in response to deadly protests sparked by the two-year imprisonment of detained opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Anadolu Ajans?
No doubt our own “Christchurch Call” commissars of the internet will be taking notes. After all, call it “hate speech”, and there’s no limit to the power you can grant yourself.
Authorities temporarily restricted mobile internet access from Sunday night, citing hate messages on social media and threats to public order. Several schools sent pupils home early.
The private Walf television channel said it was taken off air on Sunday and had its licence revoked.
Malay Mail
Please — don’t give Jacinda, Kate, and Byron any ideas.
