Rising unrest forces Senegal to temporarily close consulates abroad

Clashes and protests are rocking Senegal. (Source: Reuters)

Specifically, Senegal has temporarily closed its consulates in Bordeaux, Paris (France), Milan (Italy) and New York (USA) among many other places.

The closure of the consulates was announced amid deadly unrest after a leading opposition figure, Ousmane Sonko, was sentenced to two years in prison last week - a move that could prevent him from running for president in next year's election.

Over four days from June 1-3, at least 16 people were killed and hundreds injured, as protesters clashed with security forces, plunging the West African nation into its worst unrest in decades.

Private and public buildings and businesses were looted and destroyed during the riots, including universities, gas stations, banks, supermarkets, administrative buildings and bus stations.

The Senegalese foreign ministry statement did not draw any connection between the attacks abroad that led to the temporary closure of Senegal’s consulates and Mr Sonko’s sentencing or the violence that followed.

“This precautionary measure was taken after a series of aggressive actions... that caused serious damage,” the statement said.

Senegal's Foreign Ministry also informed that the Senegalese Consulate General in Milan was the most severely affected, even passport and identity card machines were destroyed.