Title: Khalifa Sall prevented from traveling during his presidential campaign: an obstacle to democratic freedom
Introduction :
The presidential race in Senegal is dominated by a heated struggle between opposition candidates and the government in place. The latest events have revealed a tense climate, marked by obstacles to the freedom of movement of candidates. One of the opposition candidates, Khalifa Sall, was recently prevented from carrying out his campaign in certain municipalities in the Matam region. This situation raises concerns about the state of democracy in Senegal.
Obstacles to free movement:
Khalifa Sall’s campaign caravan was stopped at the entrance to the commune of Ourossogui, then again at the entrance to Matam. The police justified these stops by presenting prefectural decrees prohibiting the movement of convoys in the region. For Khalifa Sall’s team, this is clearly an obstacle to freedom of movement and a measure of intimidation. They also deplore the constant presence of a gendarmerie car which constantly follows and observes them.
A tense political climate:
This obstruction of Khalifa Sall’s free movement is unfortunately not an isolated case. A few weeks ago, the candidate had been prevented from collecting his sponsorships in the department of Fatick, stronghold of President Macky Sall. These recurring incidents raise doubts about the neutrality of the power in place and the democratic conditions in which the presidential election takes place.
A silence from the Ministry of the Interior:
Faced with these incidents, the Interior Ministry has remained surprisingly silent. This lack of reaction raises questions about the authorities’ desire to guarantee fair and equitable elections. Opposition candidates and civil society organizations are calling for a clear position from the government to ensure fair campaign conditions for all candidates.
Conclusion :
The obstruction of Khalifa Sall’s freedom of movement during his presidential campaign highlights the political tensions and difficulties encountered by the opposition in Senegal. These obstacles to democracy raise concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. It is essential that the government takes measures to ensure transparent and fair elections, allowing all candidates to express themselves freely and campaign under fair conditions. Senegalese democracy can only be strengthened if the fundamental principles of freedom and equality are respected throughout the electoral process.