The United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) have issued calls for calm in Senegal following a wave of violence that resulted in nine fatalities. The unrest was triggered by the sentencing of opposition politician Ousmane Sonko to two years in prison, which could potentially eliminate his eligibility to participate in the 2024 presidential elections.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and urged all parties involved to exercise restraint, according to a spokesperson. The AU’s commission president, Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly denounced the violence and urged leaders to refrain from actions that tarnish the face of Senegalese democracy, which Africa has always been proud of.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also called on all parties to protect Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of peace and stability. The European Union (EU) and France, Senegal’s former colonial power, expressed their concerns regarding the violence as well.
The case involving Ousmane Sonko has deeply divided Senegal, a country known for its stability in West Africa. Sonko was convicted of “corrupting” a young woman, and the verdict has led to heightened tensions. The clashes that erupted on Thursday marked some of the most significant political violence in years, and the situation remained tense on Friday, with sporadic clashes and the deployment of soldiers in the capital.
Sonko, who was tried in absentia, has yet to be taken into custody to serve his jail term, which is likely to further escalate tensions. Access to social networks such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter has been restricted by the government to prevent the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages.
The recent violence has also caused extensive damage to the main university campus, where prolonged clashes occurred. Students were forced to evacuate the campus, struggling to find transportation and expressing their surprise at being caught up in political affairs. The unrest related to Sonko’s legal affairs has already resulted in approximately 30 civilian deaths since his initial arrest in 2021.
The government and opposition have exchanged blame for the violence, exacerbating the already fragile situation. Sonko maintains his innocence and accuses the president of framing him to prevent his participation in next year’s election, a charge denied by the government.
Amidst the tensions, international football star Sadio Mane and religious leader Serigne Mahi Ibrahim Niass have called for peace. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders have urged authorities to halt arbitrary arrests and restore access to social networks and the internet.
The international community continues to closely monitor the situation in Senegal, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution and respect for human rights during this critical period.
