DAKAR: The United Nations and the African Union have issued appeals for calm in Senegal following a violent outbreak that led to the deployment of the army. Nine people lost their lives on Thursday after the sentencing of popular opposition politician Ousmane Sonko to two years in jail, potentially disqualifying him from the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and called on all parties involved to exercise restraint, according to a spokesperson. The African Union’s commission president, Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly denounced the violence and urged leaders to avoid actions that would tarnish the face of Senegalese democracy, which Africa has long been proud of.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also called on all parties to safeguard Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of peace and stability. Concerns over the violence were expressed by the European Union and France, Senegal’s former colonial power.
The conviction of Ousmane Sonko for corrupting a young woman has deeply divided Senegal, which is typically known for its stability in West Africa. Following Thursday’s political violence, tensions remained high, with sporadic clashes reported in the capital and the presence of soldiers on the streets. Sonko, who was tried in absentia, has yet to be taken into custody, further escalating tensions.
Senegal Govt Restricts Access to Social Media
The streets of the capital were largely empty, as observed by AFP journalists. The government acknowledged restricting access to social networks such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter to halt the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages. The main university campus experienced extensive destruction after prolonged clashes on Thursday. Students with suitcases lined the streets outside the university, struggling to find transportation after being ordered to vacate the campus.
Since Sonko’s initial arrest in 2021, approximately 30 civilians have lost their lives in unrest primarily related to his legal affairs. The government and the opposition have blamed each other for the violence. While Sonko was acquitted of rape and death threat charges, he was convicted of debauching a person under the age of 21, a verdict that seemingly renders him ineligible for next year’s election according to the electoral code.
Sonko maintains his innocence and accuses the president of framing him to prevent his participation in the upcoming election—an accusation the government denies. The head of Sonko’s party, PASTEF-Patriots, could be arrested at any time, stated Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall. Residents of Dakar expressed fear of the potential consequences of an arrest, highlighting concerns about the situation worsening.
Prominent figures, including Senegalese football star Sadio Mane and religious dignitary Serigne Mahi Ibrahim Niass, have called for peace. Amnesty International called on authorities to halt arbitrary arrests and lift restrictions on social network access. Reporters Without Borders urged authorities to fully restore internet access, emphasizing that socio-political violence should not be used as a pretext to curtail the right to information.
