On the ground: A pro-Palestinian rally in Dakar banned by the prefect of Dakar
In the Senegalese capital, Dakar, supporters of the Palestinian cause faced a ban on gatherings by the city prefect. The National Alliance for the Palestinian Cause of Senegal planned to organize a peaceful rally on the esplanade of the Islamic Institute of Dakar to show their support for Palestine in the context of the escalation between Israel and Hamas. However, the prefecture cited non-compliance with the deadlines for declaring the event to ban the event.
This decision sparked criticism from part of Senegalese public opinion, who consider that Dakar’s position is “too soft” in this crisis. Senegal has traditionally been a fervent defender of the Palestinian cause and some believe that its diplomacy has been in decline since the start of the conflict.
Supporters of the Palestinian cause, like Mansour Ndiaye, a member of the National Alliance for the Palestinian Cause, are disconcerted by the ban. They claim to have followed all the necessary procedures to inform the authorities and were asked by the prefecture to submit a letter of invitation. Despite this, the ban fell at the last moment, causing disappointment and incomprehension among pro-Palestinian activists.
Ndiaye affirms that her organization is legalistic and that she will file a new request for demonstration on Monday for the following Saturday. He assures that they will not defy the ban, but hope to rally even more people in their next attempt.
This ban and the Senegalese government’s considered moderate position fueled criticism on social networks. Some believe that Senegal should take a stronger stance in condemning Israeli attacks in Gaza. However, the government affirms that its position has not changed and recalls that Senegal is historically committed to the rights of the Palestinian people. The country actively defends Palestine at the UN and even buried a former Palestinian ambassador in Dakar, at the request of Yasser Arafat.
According to Yoro Dia, minister responsible for communications in the Senegalese presidency, the country adopts a common-sense position in international conflicts and seeks to maintain an open dialogue with all parties, including Israel and Palestine. He believes that Senegal should not receive lessons in support of the Palestinian cause.
Bakary Sambe, specialist in Arab-African relations, supports this position by emphasizing that Senegalese diplomacy must be analyzed independently of popular opinion, which is mainly in favor of Palestine.. He considers that Senegal adopts a classic position, like other Muslim countries, and seeks to maintain a balance in its international relations.
Despite this controversy, it is clear that the question of Palestine continues to generate passionate debates in Senegal, where the population is largely supportive of the Palestinian cause. Whether through demonstrations, declarations or social networks, the Senegalese continue to make their voices heard in favor of Palestine.