Senegal Clashes Between Police And Protesters Escalates

The situation in Senegal appears to be tense, with clashes between police and protesters escalating in the lead-up to a court case involving opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

Sonko is supported by many of the country’s youth, who are drawn to him due to high unemployment and economic hardship.

Sonko faces multiple charges, including civil libel and rape, which he denies and says are politically motivated. Many of his supporters accuse President Macky Sall of seeking to eliminate him from the upcoming presidential race with a guilty verdict.

The unrest in Senegal is not limited to this specific case, as tensions have been rising in the country over the past few years, with anger directed towards Sall’s government for imprisoning dissidents and opposition members.

Additionally, Sall’s failure to rule out running for a third term in office has angered many, who fear he may use a recent tweak to the constitution to reset his mandate.

The upcoming presidential elections in February 2024 are adding to the already heightened tensions in the country, which has long been seen as a bastion of stability and democracy in the region. The situation in Senegal is one to keep an eye on in the coming months.