Thousands protest over crackdown against political opposition

Peaceful Assembly

On 7th April 2017, thousands of Senegalese took to the streets of Dakar to protest against President Macky Sall's crackdown against political opposition. The demonstration, organised by the youth movement Y'en a marre (Fed Up), called for the release of Khalifa Sall, mayor of Dakar and member of the Socialist Party, who has been in detention since 7th March 2017 on charges of fraud, misappropriation of public funds, conspiracy and money laundering. Protest organisers expressed serious concern over the president's moves to marginalise opposition parties ahead of legislative elections in July 2017 and presidential elections in 2019. Police stood by the protesters, monitoring the demonstration, but there were no reports of clashes or violence. 

Senegal has witnessed a number of other protests in recent months, including a peaceful demonstration on 7th January 2017 calling for the abolition of the CFA franc. Similar such actions took place on the same day in cities throughout Africa and Europe.