In a region plagued by volatility, Senegal had long been praised for its political stability.

But the West African country now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads with tensions escalating after its outgoing President Macky Sall postponed the upcoming general election just three weeks ahead of its scheduled date. 

News of the election delay, which came as official campaigning for the February 25 vote was due to start, sparked widespread anger in the country with angry youths burning tires in the streets in protest.

Sall, whose second and final term runs out in April, announced Saturday that the vote would not be held as planned, citing disputes over a final list of presidential candidates that excluded dozens of opposition aspirants.

That has angered opponents, who see the move as a bid by Sall to extend his tenure and raised fears of a repeat of the deadly protests last year that were sparked by rumors he intended to run again for office.

Experts say the latest unexpected turn of events has not only put in doubt Senegal’s role as a regional anchor, but also raises concerns about the potential ripple effects in other parts of West Africa, which has seen numerous military takeovers in recent years.

Senegal remains an outlier as the sole mainland West African country never to have experienced a military coup.

Dakar-based analyst Oluwole Ojewale of the Institute of Security Studies told CNN that while a military putsch is highly unlikely in Senegal, the events of recent days were tantamount to an unlawful seizure of power.

“Amending the law at the eve of an election and allowing the incumbent to stay in power past when his tenure is supposed to end is a constitutional coup,” Ojewale said.

He added that the situation in Senegal would be watched very closely by France, the country’s former colonial ruler, with which it maintains very close ties.

“The conversations going on in France right now will be to quickly find a solution to this self-inflicted dilemma. Nobody wants democracy in Senegal to degenerate,” Ojewale said.

“Senegal is the most enduring democracy in West Africa. It is a poster boy for France and they will not want any instability that will disrupt their interests there.”