The total death toll since the unrest began on Thursday has risen to 15. The protests and riots were triggered by the prison sentence against opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Six more people were killed in violent clashes between police and opposition supporters in Senegal. Senegalese Interior Ministry spokesman Maham Ka announced on Saturday that four people had been killed in riots in the capital Dakar the previous day and two killed in the southern city of Ziguinchor.
The total death toll since the unrest began on Thursday has risen to 15. The protests and riots were triggered by the prison sentence against opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. A court sentenced him to two years in prison for “seducing young people” because he allegedly incited a young woman to behave in an obscene manner. The verdict calls into question Sonko’s candidacy for the presidency in next year’s elections.
After Sonko’s verdict, supporters of the politician were involved in violent clashes with the police. Banks, stores and gas stations were also looted. On Saturday, authorities announced that there would be no further disturbances until the afternoon. However, army units remained in Dakar to support the police if necessary.
(APA)