Senegal: Demonstrations in Dakar on July 4 and 9

Event

A demonstration is expected to take place in Dakar on Wednesday, July 4, in support of opposition leader and mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall. Demonstrators are expected to rally near the Radio Television Senegalaise building, to demand Sall's release from jail. A similar demonstration, set to coincide with Sall's scheduled court appearance will likely take place on Monday, July 9, in front of the Palais de Justice. Heightened security measures and traffic disruptions are anticipated around protest sites.

Context

Khalifa Sall, the leader of the opposition coalition Manko Taxawu Senegal (MTS), has been in prison since March 2017 on embezzlement charges, but was nevertheless elected to parliament in July 2017, without being able to take his seat. On November 25, 2017, the National Assembly lifted parliamentary immunity, allowing Sall's trial to proceed and prompting his supporters to stage protests throughout Dakar.

Advice

Individuals in Dakar and across the country are advised to remain vigilant, monitor the situation via local media, and avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering due to the risk of violence