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Dakar Erupts in Anger as Sall Extends Rule
Senegal, long praised as a beacon of democracy in a volatile region, faces a turbulent future after President Macky Sall’s controversial move Monday to postpone the upcoming election and extend his term. This decision sparked outrage, leading to clashes between protestors and riot police and raising serious concerns about the country’s democratic stability.
Inside the National Assembly, a heated debate unfolded as lawmakers passed a bill extending President Sall’s tenure and delaying the election. Opposition members, including prominent figures like Khalifa Sall and Thierno Alassane Sall, vehemently opposed the move, calling it a “constitutional coup” and “high treason” respectively. Some were even forcibly removed by police in riot gear.
The postponement ignited an immediate public backlash. Thousands took to the streets of Dakar, chanting slogans and demanding the reversal of the decision. This marks a stark contrast to Senegal’s history of peaceful power transitions and its role in promoting democracy in West Africa.
Analysts warn that Senegal’s democratic credentials are now under scrutiny, with the country facing a critical test of its electoral integrity and judicial independence. The decision throws the nation into uncharted constitutional waters, raising questions about its legality and the potential for further unrest.
The government restricted mobile internet access, citing concerns about “hateful and subversive messages,” making it difficult for citizens to stay informed and organize further protests.
Zimbabwe Abolishes Death Penalty After Two Decades
Zimbabwe’s cabinet voted unanimously Tuesday to abolish the death penalty, marking the culmination of months of heated debate in parliament. This move brings to an end a practice inherited from the country’s colonial past and aligns Zimbabwe with the growing global trend away from capital punishment.
The decision follows the passage of a private member’s bill introduced last year, championed by legislators advocating for the end of the death penalty.
While acknowledging the need for deterrence, the cabinet emphasized its commitment to upholding the right to life. “Lengthy sentences will be imposed for the most serious offenses,” their statement declared, “ensuring justice is served without violating fundamental human rights.” Notably, aggravating circumstances could still lead to life imprisonment.
The last execution in Zimbabwe took place in 2005, and public support for capital punishment has dwindled in recent years. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former death row inmate himself during the fight for independence from British rule, has been a vocal advocate for abolishing the penalty, calling it “cruel, inhuman and degrading.”
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