A group of civil society groups on Thursday called on the Senegalese people to "mobilise en masse" against the postponement of the presidential election, outlining a series of forthcoming actions including a demonstration and a strike against the backdrop of a serious political crisis. Ednews reports citing Le Figaro.

"We invite all citizens concerned by the preservation of democratic gains to mobilise en masse throughout the country and in the diaspora to prevent this confiscation of power", said the new Aar Sunu Election ("Let's protect our election") platform in a statement.

The platform includes some forty citizens' and religious groups and professional organisations, including several education unions. "A major demonstration is planned for Tuesday", Malick Diop, who identifies himself as one of the platform's coordinators, told the press in Dakar.

The speakers referred to a call for a general strike on an unspecified date, and a walkout starting on Friday in the education sector. In its written declaration, the platform called on the faithful to attend Friday's big Muslim prayer dressed in white and flying the national colours.