Global Courant
The Senegalese foreign ministry announced on Tuesday the temporary closure of its overseas consulates — including those in Paris and New York — as unprecedented political violence wreaked havoc on the West African nation and its diplomatic missions abroad.
The ministry called the move a “precautionary measure”. a statementpointing to a “series of recent attacks” on its “diplomatic and consular missions”.
“These acts have caused significant damage, in particular at the Consulate General of Senegal in Milan, where the machines for the production of passports and national identity cards have been destroyed,” the ministry continued, stating that operations will resume as soon as “to the necessary material and safety conditions are met.”
9 DEATH AT SENEGAL ROOTS ON OPPOSITION LEADER’S CONVICTION, CONDEMNATION
Days of rioting have plagued the streets of Dakar and other metropolitan centers across the country, killing at least 16 people, arresting about 500 and injuring hundreds more in clashes between protesters and police.
A protester throws a rock at police during a riot in Dakar, Senegal, on June 3, 2023. Senegal has temporarily closed diplomatic consulates around the world due to widespread political violence in Dakar and other metropolitan hubs, initially sparked by the criminal conviction and sentencing of popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Senegalese authorities have attempted to quell the violence by restricting access to social media apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, which protesters and rioters are believed to use as their primary means of communication. Roadblocks have also been placed on several of the country’s major transportation routes.
The riots have mainly been committed by young supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was sentenced in absentia on Thursday for “corruption of youth”, which resulted in a two-year prison sentence.
Sonko was acquitted of an accompanying rape charge at the same time.
SENEGALESE OPPOSITION LEADER OUMANE SONKO CONVINCED OF CORRUPTED YOUTH, ACQUISED OF RAPES
Sonko, a prospective presidential candidate who heads the left-wing PASTEF party and enjoys overwhelming youth support, is regarded as the main threat to incumbent Macky Sall’s re-election prospects next year. Sonko’s criminal conviction legally prohibits him from challenging Sall.
Senegal is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most politically stable nations, although growing discontent – especially among youth attracted to Sonko – with unemployment, corruption and alleged government crackdowns on political opponents has led to widespread civil violence in recent years. restlessness.
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Sall’s administration has overseen the prosecution of other potential political challengers, including Khalifa Sall (no relation to the president) and Karim Wade, both of whom were convicted of fraudulent use of funds ahead of the 2019 election.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
