Senegal: clashes in Dakar between demonstrators and police

The Senegalese Red Cross transports an injured woman during clashes on the sidelines of a demonstration in Dakar, June 17, 2022. REUTERS - ZOHRA BENSEMRA

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

Yewwi Askan Wi had maintained his call for mobilization despite the ban decreed by the prefect and scuffles in several neighborhoods.

The main opposition coalition contests the rejection of its national list led by Ousmane Sonko for the legislative elections scheduled for July 31.

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With our correspondent in Dakar,

Clashes and rallies erupted scattered in the capital.

First in Cité Keur Gorgui near the home of Ousmane Sonko, where an important security device was deployed this morning.

There, supporters of the opponent were dispersed with tear gas after prayers, at the very beginning of the afternoon.

The opponent was blocked at his home, surrounded by the security forces.

Clashes also occurred near the Place de la Nation, where the opposition rally was announced from 3 p.m.

Tires burnt, garbage cans set on fire, then, again, tear gas shots.

Thick black smoke billowed around the obelisk.

In recent hours, there has been back and forth between the police and groups of demonstrators, sometimes wearing masks and vinegar to protect their eyes.

#Senegal Clashes in Dakar, scattered demonstrations as the rally planned by the Yewwi Askan Wi coalition was banned by the prefecture #kebetu pic.twitter.com/nD0magSTsY

– Charlotte Idrac (@CharlotteIdrac) June 17, 2022

A lifeless body in Colobane 

Tensions finally in the perimeter of the road axis of the VDN, where the headquarters of the party of Déthié Fall, representative of Yewwi Askan Wi, is located.

According to the coalition, Déthié Fall was arrested around 4 p.m., without any reason given at the moment.

Regarding the results of the scuffles, at this stage, the Senegalese Red Cross confirms having taken charge of the lifeless, charred body of a teenager who died in the fire of a tavern in the Colobane district. 

The situation was still very volatile at the start of the evening.

Some streets are strewn with stones, where police and demonstrators face each other, and a few streets away, an almost normal atmosphere reigns.

The Yewwi Askan Wi coalition had also called for a rally in Ziguinchor in Casamance, in the south of the country.

Again, the demonstration had been banned by the prefecture.

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• Senegal