Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to consider imposing targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on President Macky Sall of Senegal and officials of his government.
Falana said ECOWAS should urgently organise an extra-ordinary session to discuss and respond to the deteriorating human rights and rule of law situation in the country.
The call followed Sall’s decision to call off this month’s elections, citing a row over the eligibility of candidates.
Falana stated that the postponement of the elections suggests a deliberate ploy by Sall to manipulate the country’s Constitution.
According to him, this is in order to hold on to power against the will of the people and popular aspirations.
“Imposing targeted sanctions on Mr Sall and officials of his government is consistent with the provisions of ECOWAS treaties and protocols including article 45 (2) of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” Falana said in a statement.
Falana asks ECOWAS to sanction Senegalese President for postponing elections