Senegal Bans March Amid Election Tension

Calm reigns in Dakar after Senegal authorities suspended mobile internet and banned a march against the postponement of this month's presidential poll. Security forces are deployed to patrol the area where the march was to take place.

Senegalese authorities faced growing anger at home and renewed international pressure, as the government suspended mobile internet and banned a march against the postponement of this month's presidential poll.

Three people have been killed during violent protests since President Macky Sall pushed back the February 25 vote, plunging traditionally stable Senegal into one of its worst crises in decades.

Former colonial ruler France urged the West African nation to ensure a "proportionate" response to protests and reiterated its calls for the presidential poll to be held as soon as possible.

Demonstrations are subject to authorisation in Senegal, with authorities refusing to give the green light for many opposition rallies in recent years.

Unauthorized protests often descend into violent clashes and dozens have been killed since 2021, according to rights groups.

Security forces repressed demonstrations which took place.

The Aar Sunu Election (Let's protect our election) collective, which includes some 40 civil, religious and professional groups, had called for a peaceful rally in the capital Dakar.

But organizers said they had received an official letter from Dakar local authorities saying the march was banned as it could seriously disrupt traffic.

Senegal's opposition has decried the move as a "constitutional coup" and suspects it is part of a plan by the presidential camp who feared defeat at the ballot box.

It has denounced the delay as a move to extend Sall's term in office, despite him reiterating that he would not stand again.