As more people died on Saturday in increasingly violent protests over President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the country’s forthcoming presidential elections, Senegal’s political crisis worsened.
Two of the man’s relatives told AFP that a 23-year-old man passed away on Saturday following a gunshot wound sustained during fighting in the capital Dakar, while a 22-year-old student passed away on Friday in the northern town of Saint-Louis under circumstances that are still unknown.
“The international and regional community must bear witness to the excesses of this dying regime,” said presidential candidate Khalifa Sall (no relation).
Market vendor Modou Gueye received “a live round to the stomach” on Friday in Dakar’s Colobane neighborhood, according to his 29-year-old brother Dame Gueye, who was beside him at the time.
According to his brother-in-law Mbagnick Ndiaye, he passed away early on Saturday morning from his wounds.
Videos shared on social media appear to show that there were further injuries, though authorities have not officially confirmed Gueye’s death.
One hundred of Alpha Yoro Tounkara’s classmates staged an all-night vigil in honor of their friend, who passed away on the Gaston Berger University campus in Saint-Louis, where he was studying geography.
In a statement, the Interior Ministry refuted reports that security personnel had been present on campus.
Reputation in question
Anger has mounted since President Sall last week postponed until December a presidential election scheduled February 25. The postponement came hours before official campaigning was due to begin.
Protests were held across the country on Friday and police made wide use of tear gas to keep crowds away from a main central square in Dakar, also closing main roads, rail lines and major markets.
Reporters Without Borders said at least five journalists were targeted by police in Dakar.
A new round of protests are planned for Tuesday.
Market vendor Modou Gueye received “a live round to the stomach” on Friday in Dakar’s Colobane neighborhood, according to his 29-year-old brother Dame Gueye, who was beside him at the time.
According to his brother-in-law Mbagnick Ndiaye, he passed away early on Saturday morning from his wounds.
Videos shared on social media appear to show that there were further injuries, though authorities have not officially confirmed Gueye’s death.
One hundred of Alpha Yoro Tounkara’s classmates staged an all-night vigil in honor of their friend, who passed away on the Gaston Berger University campus in Saint-Louis, where he was studying geography.
In a statement, the Interior Ministry refuted reports that security personnel had been present on campus.