The death toll amid protests in Senegal over the postponement of the presidential elections until December has climbed to three, as concerns grow that one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa is under threat.

The announcement of the delay just three weeks ahead of the planned February&nbsp;25 vote triggered violent clashes on Friday between protesters and police in Dakar and several other cities, in a wave of unrest that many fear will spill over into protracted instability.

WATCH |&nbsp;Senegal: Protests, stone pelting reported in Dakar for postponement of elections

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/senegal-protests-stone-pelting-reported-in-dakar-for-postponement-of-elections-687019/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

President Macky Sall has said the delay is necessary because electoral disputes threatened the credibility of the poll, but some opposition lawmakers have denounced the move as an "institutional coup."

As the public outcry mounts, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and foreign powers have urged Sall to put the country back on a regular electoral footing.

The death of one young man amid reported protests in the southern city of Zinguinchor on Saturday evening took the number of those killed since Friday to three, according to Cartogra Free Senegal (CFS), a civil society platform tracking casualties.

"We tried to save him when he arrived at hospital and unfortunately he died in intensive care," Ndiame Diop, the manager of Ziguinchor hospital, told Reuters, saying it was not possible to determine the exact cause of death without an autopsy.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/senegals-former-pm-aminata-toure-arrested-as-police-and-protesters-clash-over-indefinite-election-delay-686964">Senegal’s former PM Aminata Toure arrested as police and protesters clash over indefinite election delay</a>

A spokesperson for the interior ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The ministry has so far confirmed only one death, a student in the northern city of Saint-Louis on Friday. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm a reported second death: a 23-year-old merchant on the outskirts of Dakar, according to CFS.

The US&nbsp;Bureau of African Affairs said in an online post on Saturday that it was saddened to learn of the first two deaths.

"We urge all parties to act in a peaceful and measured manner, and we continue to call on President Sall to restore the electoral calendar, restore confidence, and bring calm to the situation," it said.

What happens next is not clear.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-erupt-in-senegal-after-opposition-leader-ousmane-sonko-was-charged-and-detained-621165">Clashes erupt in Senegal after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko charged and detained</a>

Opposition lawmakers and presidential candidates who reject the postponement have filed legal challenges and said they will refuse to recognise Sall as president after his original mandate expires in early April.

The postponement bill backed by parliament included the extension of his tenure until his successor is installed after the election now reset for December 15.&nbsp;

"If President Macky Sall does not restore power to us on April 3, we will set up a parallel government of national unity," opposition lawmaker Guy Marius Sagna said on the radio on Sunday.

The death toll amid protests in Senegal over the postponement of the presidential elections until December has climbed to three, as concerns grow that one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa is under threat.

The death toll amid protests in Senegal over the postponement of the presidential elections until December has climbed to three, as concerns grow that one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa is under threat. The announcement of the delay just three weeks ahead of the planned February 25 vote triggered violent clashes on Friday between protesters and police in Dakar and several other cities, in a wave of unrest that many fear will spill over into protracted instability. WATCH | Senegal: Protests, stone pelting reported in Dakar for postponement of elections President Macky Sall has said the delay is necessary because electoral disputes threatened the credibility of the poll, but some opposition lawmakers have denounced the move as an "institutional coup." As the public outcry mounts, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and foreign powers have urged Sall to put the country back on a regular electoral footing. The death of one young man amid reported protests in the southern city of Zinguinchor on Saturday evening took the number of those killed since Friday to three, according to Cartogra Free Senegal (CFS), a civil society platform tracking casualties. "We tried to save him when he arrived at hospital and unfortunately he died in intensive care," Ndiame Diop, the manager of Ziguinchor hospital, told Reuters, saying it was not possible to determine the exact cause of death without an autopsy. ALSO READ | Senegal’s former PM Aminata Toure arrested as police and protesters clash over indefinite election delay A spokesperson for the interior ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The ministry has so far confirmed only one death, a student in the northern city of Saint-Louis on Friday. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm a reported second death: a 23-year-old merchant on the outskirts of Dakar, according to CFS. The US Bureau of African Affairs said in an online post on Saturday that it was saddened to learn of the first two deaths. "We urge all parties to act in a peaceful and measured manner, and we continue to call on President Sall to restore the electoral calendar, restore confidence, and bring calm to the situation," it said. What happens next is not clear. ALSO READ | Clashes erupt in Senegal after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko charged and detained Opposition lawmakers and presidential candidates who reject the postponement have filed legal challenges and said they will refuse to recognise Sall as president after his original mandate expires in early April. The postponement bill backed by parliament included the extension of his tenure until his successor is installed after the election now reset for December 15. "If President Macky Sall does not restore power to us on April 3, we will set up a parallel government of national unity," opposition lawmaker Guy Marius Sagna said on the radio on Sunday.

Senegal unrest: Three dead amid protests over delayed presidential elections

At least 16 people died in the deadliest unrest in Senegal in a decade. The unrest was sparked off by a prison sentence handed down to the firebrand opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. Protesters, who took to the streets in thousands, claim the charges against Sonko are politically motivated. Supermarkets and gas stations were ransacked and vehicles set ablaze. Riot police responded with tear gas & what rights groups claimed "excessive force". Cracking the whip, the government arrested over five hundred people. Mohammed Saleh brings you this report.

Senegal: 16 deaths in protests over opposition leader's sentencing

senegal-unrest

Senegal Unrest, News on Senegal Unrest, stories on Senegal Unrest, articles on Senegal Unrest, Senegal Unrest stories at Wion, Senegal Unrest news, Senegal Unrest latest news

senegal unrest

Senegal unrest: Three dead amid protests over delayed presidential elections

Senegal: 16 deaths in protests over opposition leader's sentencing