Senegal: Nine dead in clashes after conviction of opponent Ousmane Sonko

Nine people died in Senegal in the clashes that broke out after the opposition leader and presidential candidate, ousmane sonkowas sentenced to two years in prison, Interior Minister Antoine Diome reported.

“We have noted with regret the violence that has caused the destruction of public and private property and, unfortunately, nine deaths in Dakar and Ziguinchor”, Diome declared on national television.

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The minister also confirmed that the authorities restricted access to social networks, verified in Facebook, WhatsApp and TwitterFor example.

Sonko, staunch opponent of the president macky sallwas sentenced Thursday by a criminal court to two years in prison for “corruption of minors”.

A protester throws a stone at the police in Dakar, on June 1, 2023 during a protest. (Photo by JOHN WESSELS / AFP) (JOHN WESSELS /)

He was accused of raping and threatening to kill an employee of a beauty salon where he went to receive massages between 2020 and 2021. The employee, Adji Sarrwas less than 21 years old when the events occurred.

The court acquitted Sonko of rape charges and death threats.

A man walks past a car set on fire by protesters in Dakar, on June 1, 2023 during a protest. (Photo by JOHN WESSELS / AFP) (JOHN WESSELS /)

Sonko was absent when the sentence was handed down, according to him because the security forces have blocked him at his residence.

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Without waiting for his arrest, riots broke out in Dakar and other cities.

The University of Dakar it looked like a battlefield, with groups of youths throwing stones at the police, who responded with tear gas.

There were also clashes and looting of public property, shops and gas stations in the capital and its suburbs, as well as in Ziguinchor (south), where several people died, Mbour and kaolack (west) and st louis (north).

Source: Elcomercio