By Samuel Ouma
The Senegalese government has shut down Social Media after chaos erupted following the sentencing of the opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Supporters of Sonko clashed with the police in the capital Darkar and Ziguinchor in the south, leading to the death of nine people, prompting the government to suspend social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram.
According to Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, the deaths happened in the capital, Dakar and Ziguinchor in the southern part of the country.
“The state of Senegal has taken every measure to guarantee the safety of people and property. We are going to reinforce security everywhere in the country,” announced Diome.
Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on June 1 for “corrupting youth. However, he was acquitted of rape and death threat accusations but found guilty of immoral behaviour with individuals under the age of 21.
He was found guilty in his absence after failing to appear in court during his trial.
Sonko’s supporters say that the government is trying to thwart his bid for the presidency in 2024 by using the sentence to prevent him from standing in the upcoming presidential election. Sonko is viewed as President Macky Sall’s main rival.
Conflicts broke out across Senegal shortly following the verdict, with Sonko’s PASTEF party urging citizens to take to the streets.
Protesters in Dakar blocked highways with stones, set cars on fire, and engaged police in an ongoing conflict.
