Global Courant
KIGALI, Rwanda/DOUALA, Cameroon
The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc condemned the violence that erupted in Senegal on Friday after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison for “corrupting the youth”.
African Union Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the violence “strongly” in a statement.
“Such actions tarnish the image of Senegalese democracy, of which Africa has always been proud,” said Faki, and urged all political actors to practice restraint and dialogue.
The AU urged Senegalese authorities to respect the right to peaceful demonstration.
ECOWAS regretted the loss of life and called for “modesty and peaceful resolution of disputes”.
ECOWAS strongly condemns violence targeting security forces, public property, private property and disrupting public order.
Media reports said that amid the tense situation, security forces were heavily deployed around the national capital Dakar, patrolling the largely empty streets on Friday.
On Independence Square in downtown Dakar, a few meters from the presidential palace, the military reportedly replaced the police to ensure public safety.
Government spokesman Abdou Karim Fofana assured the nation that the situation is stable.
ECOWAS said its commission was following the development in Senegal with concern and urged everyone to “defend the country’s commendable reputation as a bastion of peace and stability”.
At least nine people were killed in the clashes and public and private property was destroyed following Sonko’s sentence.
Sonko was accused of raping and making death threats against Adji Sarr, a beauty salon employee in Dakar, in 2021.
A court acquitted Sonko of rape on Thursday, but sentenced her to two years in prison for corrupting the youth and disqualified her from running in the presidential election.
Sonko finished third against President Macky Sall in the 2019 election, but said during the hearing that the case against him was politically motivated to prevent him from running in 2024.
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