Violent Senegal protests supporting opposition leader kill 1

Police fired tear gasoline to disperse crowds throwing objects at safety forces and setting tires on fireplace close to the tribunal the place Ousmane Sonko was reportedly set to testify. Armored automobiles had been within the streets, which cleared for Friday afternoon prayers.

One individual was killed Thursday as police clashed with protesters in Bignona city within the southern Casamance area, based on native reviews.

The demonstrations started earlier than Sonko’s look in courtroom on rape costs Wednesday. He was detained on the way in which to the courthouse and arrested for disturbing public order after lots of of his supporters clashed with police who had been blocking unauthorized protests.

Since then, the protests have grown. Several shops belonging to a serious grocery chain, Auchan, have been looted and burned, in addition to Total gasoline stations, in what gave the impression to be assaults on French-owned pursuits. Demonstrators additionally attacked radio station Rfm and authorities newspaper Le Soleil.

In an announcement on Thursday night, the federal government condemned the violence and mentioned “the instigators, perpetrators and accomplices will be sought and prosecuted in accordance with the law.” Authorities suspended two non-public tv stations for 72 hours, accusing Sen TV and Walf TV of inciting public dysfunction for displaying content material that “explicitly or implicitly defended violence.”

The 46-year-old Sonko, who positioned third within the 2019 election, was accused of rape final month by an worker at a magnificence salon. He was summoned to seem in courtroom for questioning after his parliamentary immunity was lifted final week.

Sonko has been a powerful opponent of President Macky Sall since 2012 and is common with the nation’s youth. Sonko and his supporters have mentioned the fees are politically motivated, they usually accuse Sall of conspiring to undermine Sonko earlier than the 2024 election.

Amnesty International condemned what it known as arbitrary arrests of opponents and activists, and known as on authorities to respect the liberty of peaceable meeting.” It accused authorities of stopping Sonko’s convoy and firing tear gasoline to disperse his supporters.

The rights group additionally known as for the fees of disturbing public order and unauthorized demonstration towards Sonko to be dropped, “and, as long as these are the only charges justifying his detention, he must be immediately released” together with three of his bodyguards.

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