Senegal Extends Presidency, Reschedules Election to December

Following the decision to postpone the presidential election until December, the Senegalese government has heightened security in Dakar and cut mobile internet access. This move, which effectively extends President Macky Sall's rule by a year, has caused widespread protests and has been called a 'constitutional coup' by the opposition. The election was originally scheduled for 25th February, but was delayed due to controversies over candidate eligibility. The US State Department and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are concerned about the situation and have urged Senegal to restore its electoral timetable. The opposition also claims that the vote was held under duress after security forces removed dissenting MPs from the chamber.