Sonko protests will embolden Senegal’s opposition

Significance

He had been arrested for disrupting public disorder and attending an illegal demonstration after protests erupted as he responded to a court summons concerning rape allegations. His arrest and detention has triggered wider unrest and a public backlash against President Macky Sall and his government.

Impacts

• Sall will increase budgetary spending to try to appease the growing numbers of unemployed youth.
• Deep public mistrust of the government could hamper COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.
• With anti-French sentiment increasing, French businesses will be at risk of further targeted attacks during protests.