Senegal: Opposition protest in Dakar September 4

Event

Opposition supporters are expected to stage a protest in Dakar on Tuesday, September 4, despite a ban on demonstrations. The Democratic and Social Front of National Resistance (FNR) political group called for the protests to start at 15:00 (local time) in front of the Ministry of the Interior, to denounce the dismissal of Khalifa Sall as the mayor of Dakar, and to demand free and fair elections ahead of the next presidential poll. Heightened security measures and traffic disruptions are likely in the vicinity of the event. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Sall, the leader of the opposition coalition Manko Taxawu Senegal (MTS) and mayor of the capital Dakar, has been in prison since March 2017 on embezzlement charges. He was nevertheless elected to parliament in July 2017, without being able to take his seat. In November 2017, the National Assembly lifted Sall's parliamentary immunity, allowing his trial to proceed and prompting his supporters to stage a series of protests throughout Dakar. On August 30, 2018, the Court condemned him to five years in prison and on August 31, he was dismissed from the mayor's position.

The next presidential elections will take place on February 24, 2019.

Advice

Individuals in Dakar are advised to remain vigilant and avoid any form of public demonstrations or public gatherings due to the risk of violence.