Ousmane Sonko sentenced: Why are tensions flaring in Senegal?

Nine people have died in clashes that erupted after Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison.

Sonko’s supporters threw rocks at riot police and set fire to buses on Thursday after a court sentenced him in absentia for “corrupting youth”.He was acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlour and making death threats against her.

The supporters denounce the charges as a ploy to prevent him from running in presidential elections scheduled for February 2024.

The government and the justice system deny this.

Why did the protests erupt?
Sonko’s PASTEF party said the verdict was part of a political plot and called on citizens in a statement to “stop all activity and take to the streets”.

The case has triggered violent protests in the West African country since 2021, amid growing frustration with President Macky Sall.

Critics say Sall, who was elected in 2012, has failed to create jobs and has stifled opposition criticism amid rumours he may seek to bypass presidential term limits and run again next year.

Sonko placed third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is popular with the country’s youth. He is considered President Macky Sall’s main competition and has urged Sall to state publicly that he will not seek a third term in office.

What happened after the verdict?
After Thursday’s verdict, clashes broke out between police and protesters, buses were set alight in the capital, Dakar, and disturbances were reported elsewhere, including the city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko has been mayor since 2022.