AU Commission calls for cessation of violence in Senegal

Xinhua
03 Jun 2023, 21:35 GMT+10

ADDIS ABABA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat called for cessation of violence in Senegal.

"The chairperson of the AU Commission is closely following the events in Senegal which have caused deaths. The chairperson strongly condemns such violence and calls for their immediate cessation," the statement released late Friday said.

Faki called on all Senegalese political actors to show restraint from acts that tarnish the image of Senegalese democracy.

The chairperson of the AU Commission also called for Senegalese authorities to respect the rights of citizens to exercise their rights of freedom of expression while also calling on Senegalese citizens to follow the country's rule of law.

Faki further extended an invite to all Senegalese stakeholders to sit down for dialogue to overcome their differences.

Nine people have been killed during protests in Senegal, especially in the capital of Dakar and the southern city of Ziguinchor, which broke out following the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, Senegalese authorities said earlier this week.

Addressing the press on Thursday evening, Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome said the government "has decided to temporarily suspend the use of certain digital applications through which calls for violence and hatred are made."

The Criminal Chamber of the Dakar High Court on Thursday morning sentenced Sonko to two years in prison for "corrupting youth."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Johannesburg Life.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Deadly July 4 flash floods renew alarm over NWS staffing shortages

WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...

Putin fires transport chief, later found dead in suspected suicide

MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...

Thousands gather in Himalayas as Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday

DHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...

Fans perform WWII-era Fascist salute at Marko Perković’s mega concert

ZAGREB, Croatia: A massive concert by popular Croatian singer Marko Perković, known by his stage name Thompson, has drawn widespread...

U.S. Treasury Secretary says Musk should steer clear of politics

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Elon Musk's entry into the political arena is drawing pushback from top U.S. officials and investors, as his decision...

TikTok building U.S.-only app amid pressure to finalise sale

CULVER CITY, California: TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate version of its app for U.S. users, as efforts to secure a sale...

Africa

Section