Protests Erupt In Senegal Following Sonko Sentencing

Several people have died in clashes that erupted after Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison.

Sonko’s supporters allegedly threw rocks at riot police and set fire to buses on Thursday after a court sentenced him in absentia for “corrupting youth”.

Sonko had been acquitted of rape charges and sending death threats, accusations the supporters denounce as a ploy to prevent him from running in presidential elections scheduled for February 2024.

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The government and the justice system deny this.

Sonko’s PASTEF party said the verdict was part of a political plot and called on citizens in a statement to “stop all activity and take to the streets”. The case has triggered violent protests in the West African country since 2021, amid growing frustration with the current President Macky Sall.

Critics say, Sall, who was elected in 2012, has failed to create jobs and has stifled opposition criticism amid rumours he may seek to bypass presidential term limits and run again next year.

Meanwhile, Sonko placed third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is popular with the country’s youth. He is considered President Macky Sall’s main competition and has urged Sall to state publicly that he will not seek a third term in office.

Sonko was not present at his trial and is yet to be taken into custody for his jail term, which is predicted to stoke further tensions.

Meanwhile, reports say calm has returned to the streets of Dakar after over 72 hours of violence.