The protests in Senegal

Demonstrators and police in Dakar in Senegal yesterday. Leo Correa / AP  

 

Nine dead in Senegal after verdict against opposition leader 

 

Nine people have died as violent protests erupted in Senegal yesterday after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison. This is reported by several media. 

 

- We have unfortunately witnessed violence that led to the destruction of public and private property and unfortunately nine deaths in Dakar and Ziguinchor, said the country's interior minister Antoine Diome.  

 

Sonko was charged with raping and threatening to kill a 20-year-old woman. However, he was acquitted of both charges and sentenced instead to having enticed a person under the age of 21 to "inappropriate actions", writes TT.  

 

The 48-year-old, who is very popular among the younger population, claims that the prosecution is politically motivated with the aim of preventing him from standing in the presidential election next year.  

Burned out cars in Senegal's capital Dakar. Leo Correa / AP  

 

UN calls for calm in Senegal after deadly protests  

 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemns the violence in Senegal, which broke out after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison, reports African News.  

 

Guterres urges "all involved to exercise restraint," according to a spokesperson for the secretary-general. Even the leader of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has spoken about the violence in condemning terms. 

 

Among other things, he addresses the Senegalese leaders with calls to avoid measures that "dirty" the country's democracy.  

 

A total of ten people have died in the protests, which have been ongoing since Thursday.