At least 9 killed in Senegal protests following opposition leader Ousmane Sonko ’s jail sentence

At least nine persons have been killed in protests in Senegal’s capital Dakar and other cities, following the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Thursday to two years in prison. The court found Sonko guilty of corrupting youth, according to state media, but cleared him of other charges, including rape. He can appeal the ruling within 15 days, but his chances of participating in next year’s presidential election now seem dim.

Government spokesman Abdou



Karim Fofana said authorities were working to maintain order in the disturbed cities, while Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome said in a press conference that social media and messaging apps were restricted to limit fake news.

Sonko’s political party PASTEF (Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity), said the verdict was politically motivated as he is challenging President Macky Sall’s government.