HRW calls for investigation into deaths of demonstrators in Senegal

Human Rights Watch on Friday urged Senegal to open an independent investigation into the deaths of protesters in the unrest that rocked the usually quiet West African state last week.

At least five people have been killed in clashes across the country, according to an AFP tally, in the violence that began on March 3 when police arrested opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

The unrest continued until March 8, however, and there are conflicting accounts of how many people have died.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement that at least ten people were killed during protests, for example. The opposition estimated the death toll at 11.

“The recent deaths and injuries of protesters must be the subject of a credible investigation,” said Ida Sawyer, Human Rights Watch deputy director for Africa.

“Members of the security forces responsible for the illegal or excessive use of force should be held to account,” she added.

Sonko, a 46-year-old government critic popular with Senegalese youth, was arrested on his way to court last week to answer questions in a rape case.

A court in the capital Dakar then released him from detention on Monday, but charged him with rape nonetheless.

Sonko came third in the 2019 presidential election and is considered a candidate to replace President Macky Sall in 2024.

But her political future was called into question last month after a beauty salon worker accused her of raping her.

Sonko has denied the wrongdoing and accused Sall of fabricating the accusation to keep him out of politics.

After his release on Monday, the opposition leader said “the revolution has already started and no one can stop it”.

Another demonstration, intended to pressure for the release of what the opposition describes as political prisoners, is due to take place in Dakar on Saturday.

Human Rights Watch also called on the government to release “those detained for their political beliefs or their participation in peaceful activities.”

Senegal, a poor country of 16 million people, is often seen as a beacon of stability in an otherwise unstable region of the world.