JARAA'IDJARAA'ID
Notification Show More
Latest News
Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp on target as nervy England overcome Scotland in UEFA Women’s Nations League opener
Sports
Dallas mayor switches to GOP, making city the largest led by a Republican
United States
‘Armed groups, coca crops and death’: how prices crashed for cocaine’s raw material
Business
Rugby World Cup: ‘There’s a place for them both’ – Chris Ashton on Steve Borthwick’s George Ford-Owen Farrell dilemma
Sports
Menendez steps down as Senate foreign relations chair after indictment
United States
Aa
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Africa
  • United States
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Sports
  • Videos
  • Live Score
  • More
    • Business
    • Market Data
      • Stocks
      • Commodities
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Forex
    • Weather
Reading: Thousands of Senegal opposition supporters gather for three-day protest
Share
Aa
JARAA'IDJARAA'ID
  • Somalia
  • Africa
  • United States
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Videos
  • World
    • Africa
    • United States
    • Europe
    • Asia
  • Market Data
    • Stocks
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Forex
  • More
    • Sports
    • Business
    • Weather
    • Live Score
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
JARAA'ID > Africa > Thousands of Senegal opposition supporters gather for three-day protest
Africa

Thousands of Senegal opposition supporters gather for three-day protest

News Room
Last updated: 2023/03/14 at 8:11 PM
News Room Published March 14, 2023
Share
SHARE

DAKAR, March 14 (Reuters) – Around 5,000 supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko gathered in Dakar, the capital, on Tuesday for a three-day protest to show support for the aspiring presidential candidate, who faces a libel case which is set to resume this week.

The demonstrations are the latest expression of growing tensions in Senegal in the run-up to a 2024 election that could see President Macky Sall vie for a controversial third term, which the opposition says is unconstitutional.

Sall, 61, has neither confirmed nor denied that he plans to run, amid widespread speculation. The poll would pit him against Sonko, who came third in the last election and has since gained clout, particularly among disillusioned urban youth.

Hundreds of Sonko supporters milled around an empty field in Dakar’s Yoff neighbourhood on Tuesday waiting for the demonstration to kick off. Some waved Senegalese flags and photos of Sonko.

There was a heavy security presence, including dozens of anti-riot vehicles.

Police are quick to crack down on protests in Senegal. The last pro-Sonko protests, which broke out after he left court last month, were dispersed with tear gas.

“We are sick of this repression, no one can protest in Senegal. Macky (Sall) cannot be a candidate,” said Codou, a protester who travelled from the nearby city of Thies.

Sall’s opponents accuse him of seeking to weaken the competition with false accusations and political trials ahead of the election. The government denies this.

Sonko, 48, is due in court on Thursday to resume hearings for a trial on libel charges for allegedly accusing the minister of tourism of embezzlement.

He is also facing trial on charges of rape and making death threats to a beauty salon employee in 2021. Sonko denies wrongdoing.

Senegal has long been seen as a beacon of democracy in West Africa. But critics have become frustrated with Sall’s crackdown on dissent and his perceived failure to improve economic livelihoods for the majority of people.

Deadly clashes broke out across the country in 2021 when Sonko was arrested over sexual assault allegations.

Reporting by Bate Felix and Ngouda Dione
Writing by Sofia Christensen
Editing by Leslie Adler

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Read the full article here

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
I have read and agree to the terms & conditions
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
News Room March 14, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular News
Sports

Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp on target as nervy England overcome Scotland in UEFA Women’s Nations League opener

News Room News Room September 22, 2023
Dallas mayor switches to GOP, making city the largest led by a Republican
‘Armed groups, coca crops and death’: how prices crashed for cocaine’s raw material
Rugby World Cup: ‘There’s a place for them both’ – Chris Ashton on Steve Borthwick’s George Ford-Owen Farrell dilemma
Menendez steps down as Senate foreign relations chair after indictment
The west’s Modi problem
Joyce faces 'mission impossible' to beat me – Zhang
4 key points from Bob Menendez’s colorful indictment
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might also Like

Africa

In Nigeria, grief spills to the streets over death of Afrobeats star Mohbad

September 22, 2023
Africa

Ghana police arrest 49 as high cost of living triggers street protests

September 22, 2023
Africa

DR Congo to move embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Netanyahu says

September 22, 2023
Africa

Attack kills at least two people in Mali’s besieged city of Timbuktu

September 22, 2023
  • Somalia
  • Africa
  • United States
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Forex
  • Stock Market

About US

Jaraa'id is your one-stop website for the latest global and local news and updates, follow us now to get the news that matters to you.
Quick Link
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Press ReleaseSubmit
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Top Sections
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Videos
  • Market DataLive
  • Weather

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our Latest articles instantly!

I have read and agree to the terms & conditions

2023 © Jaraa'id. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?