A vote by Senegal’s parliament to delay presidential elections until December “cannot be considered legitimate”, the US State Department has said.
The US State Department, while condemning the move, urged the country to move forward with the election “in accordance with the Constitution”.
The Informant247 reports Senegal was plunged into its worst political crisis in decades after President Macky Sall on Saturday announced a postponement to the poll initially scheduled for February 25.
According to reports, lawmakers voted almost unanimously in favour of the delay on Monday night, but only after security forces stormed the chamber and removed some opposition deputies, who were unable to cast their votes.
Matthew Miller, a US State Department spokesman, said in a statement published Tuesday that “The United States is deeply concerned by actions taken to delay Senegal’s February 25 presidential election, which run contrary to Senegal’s strong democratic tradition.”
“We are particularly alarmed by reports of security forces removing by force parliamentarians who opposed a bill to delay the election, resulting in a National Assembly vote that cannot be considered legitimate given the conditions under which it took place”.
He also called on the government to respect freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression, including for press members.
“The United States will remain engaged with all parties and regional partners in the days ahead,” he added.
