The EU supports the right to peaceful protest of Senegalese (Maj)

(BRUSSELS2) After a rather deafening silence, the European Commission wanted to react this evening to the latest events in Senegal, which cost the lives of several people (*). The European Union " considers the ban on demonstrations unnecessary and ineffective, and urges the authorities to lift it” assured a spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, the Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to B2. It “supports the right of Senegalese people to demonstrate peacefully. » The spokesperson "deeply regrets the deaths that have occurred in recent days, and expresses its sympathy to the families of the victims".

Credible, peaceful and transparent elections

At the same time, the European Union stresses its attachment to credible, peaceful and transparent elections, which must reflect the will of the Senegalese people. The EU calls on all parties to contribute to this, and to refrain from violent actions. »  Note that a electoral observation mission (MOE) was deployed in Senegal “ to help ensure a transparent process, the outcome of which can be accepted by all during the February 26 presidential elections. " The EOM will follow the process closely and report on it. The EU will study very carefully the recommendations that will be included in the EOM report concludes the spokesperson, as a warning against any attempt to help the outcome of the elections.

NB: scuffles took place again on Tuesday evening on Avenue Georges Pompidou in Dakar, between the police and demonstrators, after a rally by two opponents of the M23 movement, the singer Youssou N'Dour and Idrissa Seck, reports AFP . The singer - who was then perched on a car - was injured in the leg by a projectile.

(*) Questioned by B2 and another African journalist, yesterday, during the daily press briefing, the European spokespersons had a little "waded" and "embroidered" to end up explaining that... we would have some more detailed comments in the hours that followed. In the end, it took almost 36 hours - and some wounded moreover - to have a slightly more constructed reaction. One can only be quite surprised by the timidity of European reactions - following in this respect that of France - in relation to President Wade's behavior in the face of his opposition.