Senegal’s President Macky Sall has told the government to take measures to preserve public order after protests over the trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko left at least one person dead.
Violence has flared in several cities since Sonko’s defamation trial opened on 16 March.
Sonko is being tried for allegedly defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, a member of President Sall’s party.
Sonko alleges that Niang has been criticised by an independent review body over the minister’s handling of a fund intended to help young people find work in the farming sector. Niang denies that allegation.
The hearing of Sonko’s case has been postponed until 30 March. If found guilty, the opposition leader could be declared ineligible to contest next year’s presidential election. Sonko claims that the judiciary is being used to exclude him from the vote. Read more
