Following the arrest of a prominent opposition figure ... Demonstrations are expected today in Senegal, led by the opposition, and the government closes schools and universities

The Ministry of Education in Senegal closed schools and universities, in anticipation of demonstrations called by the Movement for Defense of Democracy, which includes associations and parties opposed to the government of President Macky Sall.

These calls coincide with the appearance of the opposition deputy in Parliament, Osman Sonko, 46, today in court.

Since the arrest of Sonko, the capital Dakar and other Senegalese cities have witnessed protest demonstrations, interspersed with acts of violence and looting, in which at least 5 people were killed.

Yesterday, the Ministries of National Education and Labor announced - in a joint statement on Facebook - that the closure decision aims to "protect students, teachers and school administrations from the demonstrations accompanied by acts of violence, which severely impeded teaching and learning processes last week."

Senegal, which was considered an oasis of stability in West Africa, is heading towards a new week fraught with tension, after witnessing in recent days the most serious unrest in the country in years.

On Saturday, the Movement for the Defense of Democracy - which includes opponents of Senegalese President Sal - called on Senegalese to "take to the streets in large numbers" for 3 days, starting Monday.

Many Senegalese say that the arrest of the prominent opposition has fueled to the maximum the growing resentment of the population due to the deteriorating living conditions, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, in a country already suffering from poverty.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the primary school attendance rate was close to 80% in Senegal in 2019.

Sonko was arrested on the grounds of disturbing public order, according to the official version, when he was on his way to the seat of a court that summoned him to look into accusations of rape brought against him by a beauty salon employee.

Sonko denies the accusations and talks about a conspiracy instigated by the Senegalese president to exclude him from the upcoming presidential elections. This is what Sall denies.