Senegal’s National Assembly Speaker, Moustapha Niasse, has resigned, plunging the country deeper into a political crisis that has already seen President Macky Sall postpone February’s presidential election. The resignation, announced late on Tuesday, follows weeks of protests and international condemnation of Sall’s decision to delay the vote until December. Niasse, a close ally of Sall, cited “personal reasons” but political observers note he had faced mounting pressure from opposition figures and civil society groups who accused him of enabling the president’s power grab.
The crisis has also drawn scrutiny from London. UK trade officials have confirmed a review of bilateral trade agreements with Senegal and other West African nations, citing concerns over democratic backsliding and regional stability. A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said the review would assess whether existing deals aligned with Britain’s commitment to “promoting democratic governance and the rule of law.” The move threatens to disrupt Senegal’s access to UK markets under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which grants duty-free access to most goods.
Senegal has long been regarded as a bastion of stability in a volatile region. But Sall’s decision to cancel the election, citing disputes over candidate eligibility, has shattered that image. The opposition has called for mass demonstrations, and at least three people have been killed in clashes with security forces. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Sall to reverse course, but he has so far resisted.
The UK review is part of a broader reassessment of post-Brexit trade policy. Britain has sought to strengthen ties with African economies since leaving the European Union, concluding continuity agreements with several West African states. However, officials in Whitehall now worry that engaging with governments that undermine democratic norms could damage Britain’s soft power and reputation. The review will examine the Senegal deal, as well as agreements with Ghana and Nigeria, where similar concerns about electoral integrity have been raised.
For Senegal, the stakes are high. The country is a major exporter of peanuts and phosphates, and UK imports from Senegal totalled £178 million in 2022. Any suspension of preferential tariffs would hit smallholder farmers and mining companies hard. Meanwhile, the political impasse shows no sign of abating. With Niasse gone, the National Assembly is without a speaker, further paralysing the legislature. President Sall has not indicated whether he will appoint a successor or call fresh elections.
The international community is watching closely. The United Nations, African Union, and EU have all expressed alarm. The UK’s review adds economic pressure to the diplomatic chorus. Whether it will persuade President Sall to change course remains uncertain. But the crisis has already demonstrated the fragility of democratic institutions in a region where military takeovers have become more common. Senegal’s future as a democratic beacon hangs in the balance.
