Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promptly convene an extraordinary session to address the worsening human rights and rule of law situation in Senegal.
Falana’s appeal comes in the wake of President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone this month’s elections, citing a dispute over the eligibility of candidates as the reason.
He has urged ECOWAS leaders to consider implementing specific sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes, on President Sall and his government officials who are accountable for significant violations of the democratic rights of the Senegalese people. Falana emphasized that imposing targeted sanctions aligns with the provisions of ECOWAS treaties and protocols, including article 45 (2) of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
His plea underscores the gravity of the situation in Senegal and the need for decisive regional intervention to uphold democratic principles.
