Protesters took to the streets in Senegal on Saturday, demanding a new election to be held within a month. The demonstrators accused President Macky Sall of being a dictator and called for the release of his political rival, Ousmane Sonko.
The protests come after Sonko was arrested on Wednesday for disrupting public order during a court appearance on a rape charge, which he denies. His detention has sparked widespread anger among his supporters, who believe it is a politically motivated move to eliminate him as a potential presidential candidate.
During the protests, demonstrators chanted slogans against President Macky Sall and called for his resignation. They also demanded the immediate release of Ousmane Sonko and the holding of a new election within the next 30 days.
The situation in Senegal remains tense as protesters continue to clash with security forces in the capital, Dakar. The government has urged calm and restraint, warning that violence will not be tolerated.
As the protests escalate, the international community has called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Senegal. The United Nations and the African Union are closely monitoring the situation and have expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the country.
It remains to be seen how the Senegalese government will respond to the demands of the protesters and whether a new election will indeed be called within the specified timeframe.
