At least nine people lost their lives on Thursday amid protests following the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in prison. The court found him guilty of youth corruption in a case tied to allegations of rape and death threats against a woman. Sonko serves as mayor in Ziguinchor, a southern city, and the toll of victims was recorded in clashes that spread from Dakar, the capital, to Ziguinchor.
Media reports cited officials describing the violence as violent clashes and noted that the authorities sought to maintain public safety while managing the aftermath of the verdict. One government spokesman indicated that the state would temporarily restrict certain social networks to curb online abuses during a period of unrest, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to maintain stability.
The court’s decision to sentence Sonko to two years in prison followed a trial in which he faced charges related to alleged rape and death threats. The owner of a massage parlor connected to the case received the same sentence, though he was acquitted on charges of rape complicity. Public reports from the state news agency APS provided these details about the outcomes of the proceedings.
During a press conference, Senegalese Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall suggested that Sonko could be arrested at any moment if the sentence was to be executed. Local outlets reported that the penalty would be carried out as the case stands, including the possibility of enforcement even in absentia. The government and prosecutors have maintained that Sonko has denied the charges, arguing they are part of a broader scheme to impede a political rival from participating in national elections.
The lawsuit concerning alleged rape was opened in March 2021, and subsequent protests by Sonko’s supporters erupted after his arrest. Those demonstrations led to fatalities and significant property damage. A separate mid-May protest at Sonko’s residence to avoid arrest also resulted in additional deaths, including a police officer struck by a police vehicle. The opposition has repeatedly argued that the president intends to seek a third term, despite constitutional limits that cap terms at two. Advocates warn that any attempt to extend presidential tenure could trigger instability, while supporters contend that the president’s actions would remain within legal bounds if deemed constitutional.