10 May 2023 | 03:59 AM UTC
Senegal: Opposition groups call for mass protests in Dakar May 12 /update 1
Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko calls mass protest in Dakar, Senegal, May 12. Additional rallies, increased security likely.
Event
Protest activity is likely in major cities across Senegal following a controversial May 8 appeals court ruling against Ousmane Sonko, head of the opposition African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party. Sonko received a six-month suspended prison sentence and an XOF-200 million (USD-336,000) fine for his alleged defamation of Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang. After the ruling, Sonko called for supporters to hold a mass protest in Dakar May 12. Later, opposition leaders announced the demonstration will take place at the Place de la Nation but did not immediately confirm a starting time. Additional rallies are likely over the coming days.
Heightened security and disruptions to transport and business are likely near protest sites. Further clashes between protesters and security forces are possible, especially if activists fail to heed authorities' orders to disperse. Acts of looting and vandalism, including arson, cannot be ruled out.
Context
Protests and clashes broke out in Dakar on May 8 following the ruling despite an increased security presence deployed around the city. Students at the capital's Cheikh Anta Diop University reportedly staged demonstrations in the vicinity of the campus, with some hurling rocks at security forces who, in turn, fired tear gas to suppress the protest activity. Unconfirmed reports also indicate that protests denouncing the ruling materialized in Ziguinchor, with demonstrators burning tires in areas across the city.
Advice
Avoid all demonstrations due to the potential for violence. Refrain from unnecessary travel in areas where unrest is occurring or scheduled. If travel is necessary in areas where protest activity is occurring, plan for transport disruptions and allow additional time to reach nearby destinations. If clashes break out, leave the area and take shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Monitor local media for updated information. Heed all official security and traffic advisories.
