• Contact Us
  • Login
Subscribe
LittleAfrica News
  • Home
  • Trump Admin
  • NYC 2025 Elections
    • Public Advocate Candidates Forum
    • Comptroller Candidates Forum
    • Meet The Candidates Video Interview Series
  • Metro
  • U.S.
  • International
    • Africa
    • Caribbean
    • Europe
    • Latin America
  • Podcasts
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Trump Admin
  • NYC 2025 Elections
    • Public Advocate Candidates Forum
    • Comptroller Candidates Forum
    • Meet The Candidates Video Interview Series
  • Metro
  • U.S.
  • International
    • Africa
    • Caribbean
    • Europe
    • Latin America
  • Podcasts
No Result
View All Result
LittleAfrica News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Africa

Political Unrest in Senegal Worsens: Death Toll Rises Amid Ongoing Clashes

Mymoena Davids by Mymoena Davids
June 7, 2023
in Africa, International
55
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In Dakar, Senegal’s capital, tensions escalated on Saturday, June 3rd during clashes between police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. The conflict marked the third day of protests, triggered by legal charges against Sonko.

Sonko was acquitted on a 2-year-old rape charge in which he allegedly raped a woman employed at a massage parlor. He also allegedly made death threats against the woman. Sonko was, however, charged and convicted of corrupting youth, which means someone used a position of power to have sex with individuals under the age of 21. In Senegal, this act is a criminal offense with up to a five-year sentence and $6,000 fine. Sonko did not appear in court, being charged in absentia. The wave of protests was sparked on Thursday, June 1st when Sonko was convicted.

As the day transitioned to evening, the opposition supporters took to the streets, forming barricades and setting tires on fire. While the army maintained street patrols, law enforcement officers responded with tear gas and detained individuals suspected of inciting unrest.

The Senegalese government announced violent confrontations have resulted in at least 15 fatalities, which include two security officers.

Despite the two-year prison sentence handed down to him, his lawyer asserted that an arrest warrant had yet to be released. Sonko’s supporters perceive these legal hurdles as a political maneuver to compromise his prospects in the 2024 presidential election.

According to Senegalese law, Sonko’s conviction could disqualify him from participating in the next election. However, the government hinted at the possibility of Sonko requesting a retrial after his imprisonment.

Sonko supporters believe that the recent conviction is part of a government plan to prevent his participation in the upcoming Senegalese election as he is seen as current President Macky Sall’s primary contender.

The international community, including France and the United States’ State Department, have expressed deep concern over the violent clashes and have urged for a peaceful resolution, reminding Senegal of its long-standing democratic tradition. Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “Senegal’s strong record of democratic governance, rule of law, and peaceful coexistence is something for which the Senegalese people can be rightfully proud. We urge all parties to voice their views in a peaceful manner.”

Rights organizations have criticized the government’s measures, including arbitrary arrests and social media censorship, with platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter suspended for almost two days.

Following the verdict, Sonko remained out of sight and silent. His party, PASTEF-Patriots, has encouraged its supporters to intensify their “constitutional resistance” until President Sall relinquishes his position. Government spokesperson Abdou Karim Fofana expressed concern over the damage caused by the persistent demonstrations, arguing that the protesters’ actions undermined the democratic process.

Tags: ArrestClashesDeath TollDeathsGovernmentLittleAfrica NewsMacky SallOusmane SonkoPolitical UnrestPoliticsPresidential ElectionProtestsSenegal

Related Posts

Mkhwanazi Alleges Interference by Top Officials in Political Killing Investigations
South Africa

Mkhwanazi Alleges Interference by Top Officials in Political Killing Investigations

July 7, 2025
0
Poland to Reinstate Border Controls with Germany and Lithuania Over Irregular Migration
International

Poland to Reinstate Border Controls with Germany and Lithuania Over Irregular Migration

July 1, 2025
0
Europe Hit by Record Heat Wave as Wildfires Spread and Warnings Rise
Europe

Europe Hit by Record Heat Wave as Wildfires Spread and Warnings Rise

June 30, 2025
0
Norway’s Largest Pension Fund KLP Divests Over Military Supply to Israel
International

Norway’s Largest Pension Fund KLP Divests Over Military Supply to Israel

June 30, 2025
0
Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds Amid Rising Nuclear Tensions and U.S. Pressure
International

Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds Amid Rising Nuclear Tensions and U.S. Pressure

June 25, 2025
0

VOICE and LAN Newspapers Retailers

LittleAfrica News Logo

Local, National, and International News for the Diaspora

BOMESI - Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute

Recent Posts

  • Eric Adams Rejects Cuomo’s Exit Request, Responds to Mamdani Identity Controversy in CNBC Interview
  • DOJ Closes Epstein Case, Finds No Client List
  • Measles Cases in U.S. Hit Record High Since Eradication in 2000
  • Mkhwanazi Alleges Interference by Top Officials in Political Killing Investigations
  • Texas Floods Raise Death Toll to 51 as Search Continues for Missing Camp Mystic Campers

Menu

  • Home
  • Trump Admin
  • NYC 2025 Elections
    • Public Advocate Candidates Forum
    • Comptroller Candidates Forum
    • Meet The Candidates Video Interview Series
  • Metro
  • U.S.
  • International
    • Africa
    • Caribbean
    • Europe
    • Latin America
  • Podcasts

© 2025 LittleAfrica News. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
  • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief
  • Newspaper Digital Editions

© 2025 LittleAfrica News. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?