As the situation in Senegal unfolds, the country finds itself at a critical juncture. The manner in which the government addresses these protests and the underlying issues will determine Senegal’s political trajectory for the foreseeable future.
The arrest of popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko in early June 2023 marked the ignition point for widespread protests that have gripped Senegal. Representing the Patriotes Africanis du Sénégal pour le travail, L'éthique et la Fraternité (PASTEF) party, Sonko was apprehended on charges of ‘corrupting youth,’ disrupting public order and resisting arrest during a court appearance related to rape accusations. His supporters have vehemently contested these allegations, deeming them politically motivated.
However, Sonko’s arrest merely catalyzes a much larger wave of discontent sweeping the nation. Economic struggles intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, an endemic youth unemployment crisis, and perceptions of entrenched government corruption constitute the combustible material that has fueled these demonstrations...
