DIAMNIADIO: Crisis talks called by Senegal's President Macky Sall entered their second day on Tuesday aimed at setting a date for a presidential election he postponed, while civil society tried to mobilise support for a vote in the next few weeks.
Senegal is grappling with its worst political crisis in decades after Sall's last-minute deferral of the February 25 election.
The Constitutional Council overturned the delay and Sall on Monday launched two days of talks to set a new date.
The Aar Sunu Election (Protect Our Election) collective of over 100 civil society groups called for city-wide shutdowns across the country and a general strike on Tuesday, demanding the poll take place before Sall leaves office.
Two high schools near the centre of the capital Dakar cancelled classes, a journalist saw.
But overall, the call appeared to go largely unheeded in central districts of the city by late morning.
Public transport continued as normal and the usual crowds filled the alleys of the bustling Colobane market.
Aar Sunu Election is part of a widespread political and civic movement, which galvanised after Sall's February 3 decision to postpone the ballot.
Sall said he called off the vote over disputes about the disqualification of potential candidates and fears of a return to unrest as in 2021 and 2023.
The Constitutional Council, the top constitutional body, ruled the delay unlawful and called for the vote to be organised "as soon as possible".
On Monday, Sall opened a "national dialogue" aimed at reaching a "consensus" on a new date and on what will happen after the end of his mandate. — AFP
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