US Says Vote Delaying Senegal Presidential Poll Not 'Legitimate'

Security forces have used tear gas to repress sporadic street protests although the mood on the street has so far not reflected the widespread outcry seen on social media (Credit: AFP)

The vote to delay Senegal's presidential election until December "cannot be considered legitimate", the US state department said, after the move plunged the normally stable West African nation into its worst crisis in decades.

The reaction is the most critical to date from one of Senegal's major international allies, after the delay to the February 25 poll sparked growing concern both at home and abroad.