Senegal

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Three people are now known to have died during clashes between Senegalese police and supporters of the opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko. He's currently on trial accused of rape.

The protests broke out on Monday in the capital Dakar and in the southern city of Ziguinchor ahead of Mr Sonko's scheduled court appearance.

He has denied the charge and did not turn up for the latest hearing. As a result, it has been adjourned for a week.

His allies say the case is a political ploy aimed at preventing him from running in next year's presidential election.

The authorities said one of those who died was a police officer who was accidentally crushed by an armoured vehicle.

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A police officer was killed during clashes between Senegalese security forces and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko in the southern town of Ziguinchor, authorities said.

The clashes occurred on Monday near Mr Sonko's home, where he has been staying while vowing to defy any summons to appear in court for a rape trial.

Supporters have surrounded his home since last week, fearing police would move to arrest him and bring him to court.

A statement from the Senegalese interior ministry said the police officer was “accidentally hit by a vehicle”, during the Monday violence.

Reports say security has been tightened in the capital Dakar ahead of the resumption of Mr Sonko's rape trial on Tuesday. He was charged based on a woman's accusations that he assaulted her when she worked at a massage salon two years ago.

Mr Sonko and his allies deny the charges and say they are a ploy to bar him from contesting the 2024 presidential election.

He was handed a six-month suspended sentence on 8 May for defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang in a review of the initial two-month term.

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Supporters of Senegal's opposition leader Ousmane Sonko have reportedly surrounded his home in the southern city of Ziguinchor to block his imminent arrest.

Mr Sonko was due to present himself to the criminal court on Monday ahead of his trial on Tuesday over alleged rape and death threats against a beauty salon employee in 2021.

Mr Sonko and his allies deny the charges and say they are a ploy to bar him from contesting the 2024 presidential election.

There have been intense battles as police attempt to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters in front of Mr Sonko's home, local media report.

Young people reportedly began assembling outside his home last week in “a patriotic vigil”, according to Press Afrik website.

Mr Sonko has said that he would defy court summonses in protest against the justice system.

He was handed a six-month suspended sentence on 8 May for defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang in a review of the initial two-month term.

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A coalition of opposition parties in Senegal says it will stage protest rallies over what it says is a move to block one of its leaders, Ousmane Sonko, from standing in presidential elections, following his conviction in a defamation case.

On Monday an appeals court increased Mr Sonko's suspended prison sentence from two to six months for defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niangtou.

H is also facing trial later this month for alleged rape and death threats over a complaint filed by an employee at a beauty salon.

He says the accusations are politically motivated. The government denies this.

In 2021, the rape charge against him provoked riots against the current president Macky Sall, in which at least 12 people died.

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A court in Senegal has handed a six-month suspended sentence and a $300,000 (£270,000) fine to a leading opposition politician who intends to run in next year's presidential elections.

Ousmane Sonko - who was found guilty of defaming the country's tourism minister - received a two month suspended sentence in March.

But the prosecution called for a heavier sentence following an appeal.

Mr Sonko did not appear in court on Monday for the appeal hearing and announced he would no longer respond to court summonses unless his security could be guaranteed.

Correspondents say the opposition sees the entire trial as an attempt to ensure Mr Sonko cannot stand for president.

The incumbent, Macky Sall, may seek a third term despite the constitution's two term limit.

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Senegal's president has told the nation he is "open to dialogue" in a televised address, weeks after a prominent rival who's on trial accused him of using a "strategy of terror" to drive out political opponents.

President Macky Sall made the comments in a speech on Monday evening, ahead of independence day celebrations on Tuesday which are being snubbed by the Yewwi Askan Wi opposition coalition.

The country is less than a year away from presidential elections, and last month there was an outcry when Mr Sall said it wouldn't be illegal for him to seek a third term in power despite the constitution limiting presidents to two consecutive terms.

He has not yet officially declared whether he intends to step down or run for top office again.

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A leading Senegalese opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been found guilty of libel and handed a two month suspended jail sentence.

Sonko was charged with libel after accusing the country's Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang of embezzlement.

Protests broke out across the capital, Dakar, ahead of the trial.

Sonko's lawyers say the sentence is not expected to prevent him from running in presidential elections next year.

He had previously denied the charges and said they were a tactic to eliminate him from the race.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Police in Senegal fired tear gas and stun grenades at people demonstrating in the capital, Dakar, on the eve of a libel trial of an opposition leader.

Authorities have banned protests relating to Thursday's resumption of Ousmane Sonko's court case, but the main opposition coalition says it will defy the restrictions.

Mr Sonko is accused of defaming the tourism minister Mame Mbaye Niang with allegations of embezzlement. He denies the charges.

If found guilty, Sonko would be barred from running in next year's presidential election.

There has been violence in several cities since Mr Sonko's defamation trial opened on 16 March.

Last week, President Macky Sall urged police to take all appropriate measures to ensure security following deadly protests.

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Senegal President Macky Sall on Wednesday urged police to take all appropriate measures to ensure security following deadly protests over the trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

At least one person died in the clashes between Mr Sonko’s supporters and the police.

There have been protests in cities across the country over Mr Sonko’s trial on accusations of defaming the tourism minister – a member of Mr Sall’s party.

Mr Sonko however says the real purpose of the trial is to disqualify him from running for the presidency in next year’s elections.

Ousmane Sonko/FacebookCopyright: Ousmane Sonko/Facebook

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has accused the country's president of leading a "strategy of terror" to drive out political opponents, and says he's survived a brutal attack on his "physical safety".

He also alleges that police sprayed him with a toxic liquid and that he has sent his clothes abroad for testing.

President Macky Sall has yet to comment on Mr Sonko's statement, which he's filmed from a hospital bed four days after he was pulled from his car while driving to court to face defamation charges.

The security forces had been angered by the circuitous route Mr Sonko was taking and blocked his convoy, leading to angry confrontation between his supporters and riot police.

Mr Sonko is accused of discrediting the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang, but says the real purpose of the trial is to disqualify him from running for the presidency.

Meanwhile, Senegal's president has told French media that it wouldn't be unconstitutional for him to seek a controversial third term in power.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Senegal's president has rejected claims that it would be unconstitutional for him to seek a controversial third mandate.

Macky Sall's comments in an interview with the French magazine L'Express are likely to fuel an already tense political climate.

The constitution in Senegal was amended in 2016 to shorten a presidential term from seven to five years.

It states that no-one can serve more than two consecutive terms which the opposition says clearly prevents Mr Sall from running in next year's election.

Critics of Mr Sall accuse his government of using the courts to sideline the opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko.

Mr Sonko is currently facing two court cases that could threaten his eligibility for the election.

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There have been chaotic scenes in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, where the opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, was pulled from his car as he was driving to court to face defamation charges.

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The security forces were angered by the circuitous route Mr Sonko was taking and blocked his convoy.

There followed an angry confrontation between his supporters and riot police during which several people were injured and tear gas was fired.

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Overnight there had been clashes outside his house which the police had sealed off.

Mr Sonko is accused of discrediting the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang, but says the real purpose of the trial is to disqualify him from running for the presidency.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Senegal’s former prime minister, Cheikh Hadjibou Soumare, was taken into police custody on Thursday after questioning President Macky Sall if he had financed a French politician.

His lawyer told the media that Mr Soumare was summoned by police over his letter to the president about the alleged donation.

In the letter, Mr Soumare had asked the president whether he had donated 12m euros ($12.7m; £10.6m) to a "French political figure" whose party is distinguished "by hatred and rejection of others".

The Senegalese government on Tuesday denied making any financial donation to the leader of France's National Rally, Marine Le Pen, who visited Mr Sall on 18 January.

It "rejected and condemned" the insinuations and described them as "cowardly and unfounded", according to a statement.

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Thousands of Tunisians have gathered in central Tunis in defiance of an official ban on their protest against President Kais Saied, calling for him to release detained critics and retract his controversial remarks on migrants.

He recently blamed illegal immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa for violence and crime and said there was a plot to change the demographic composition of Tunisia.

Demonstrators shouted "down with the coup" - referring to the fact President Saied has been ruling by decree since September 2021, after dissolving parliament, suspending the constitution and dismissing the government.

"Stop racism and xenophobia" and "no to hate speech and discrimination" read some of the placards at Sunday's demonstration.

Meanwhile in Senegal, 13 activists and an MP have been released after being arrested for protesting outside the Tunisian embassy.

On Saturday they tried to hand over letters denouncing recent remarks by the Tunisian president that triggered a wave of violence and discrimination against black Africans.

In their letters the Senegalese protestors described his words as hateful and racist.

In recent days hundreds of nationals from West African countries have been repatriated after saying they no longer felt safe in Tunisia.

More on this topic:

• Black Africans in Tunisia speak out about their fears
• Tunisia tennis star Ons Jabeur urges 'dignity' amid row
• Tunisia arrests presidential critics in crackdown