2023 Senegalese protests
The 2023 Senegalese protests broke out in Senegal on 1 June 2023 following opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's conviction for corrupting young people, which may disqualify him from standing in the 2024 Senegalese presidential election. At least 23 persons died during the protests and about 500 were arrested. Background Ousmane Sonko, an opposition leader in Senegal, rose to prominence when he came in third place during the 2019 Senegalese presidential election. He is popular among the nation's youth and is considered the main opponent of Macky Sall, the incumbent president. Sonko was tried in absentia on charges of corrupting young people, rape and making death threats. He was convicted of corrupting young people, but cleared of rape and making death threats. He was given a two-year prison term, although there was no warrant out for his arrest at the time of the demonstrations. Sonko and his supporters have said that he is innocent and that Sall is trying to frame him in order to thwart Sonko's bid for the presidency in 2024. The government has denied that claim. It has said that Sonko could ask for a retrial once he is imprisoned. There were also concerns that Sall would try to