Senegal on edge amid violent protests, social media shutdowns

Senegal on edge amid violent protests, social media shutdowns

Growing concern over violent protests in Senegal, and the country’s decision to ban the main opposition party Pastef Les Patriotes, has led to global calls to protect human rights in the West African nation, one long considered a successful model of democracy on the African continent. Social media platform Tik…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Senegal shuts down social media amid tensions over Sonko

Senegal shuts down social media amid tensions over Sonko

Senegal is experiencing Internet and social media service interruptions as protests over the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko continue. Users of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Telegram and other services found their access restricted beginning Thursday, according to digital rights monitor NetBlocks. Data for mobile provider Orange (Sonatel) as…

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Calls for diplomacy as Rwanda, DR Congo fighting escalates

The Democratic Republic of Congo has expelled Rwandan ambassador Vincent Karenga, the latest move in escalating tensions between the neighboring Central African nations. Karenga was told to leave by Tuesday following the capture of Kiwanja and Rutshuru, towns in the volatile eastern DR Congo, by March 23 (M23) rebels over…

Russia declines help in Ukraine from Ethiopian volunteers

Ethiopians have reportedly volunteered to fight on Russia’s side in its war with Ukraine, but Russia said Tuesday that it will decline their overtures in keeping with international law. “The embassy has been receiving, by emails and in person visits from citizens of Ethiopia, expressions of their solidarity and support…

Zelensky appeals to Sall, seeks to address African Union

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has again reached out to the African Union (AU) for support in his nation’s war with Russia, calling his Senegalese counterpart, Macky Sall, on Monday to discuss the crisis. Zelensky said he provided an update to Sall, the current president of the AU, on the…

China, Africa put COVID at center of FOCAC summit

African leaders met Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, in a virtual meeting hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the current chair of the African Union. Also coordinating the Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 was President Macky Sall of Senegal, whose nation holds…

How Africa is slowly turning the healthcare tide

Last week brought a landmark agreement between the World Health Organisation and the African Union, designed to help the continent push towards the goal of universal healthcare. Under the terms of the agreement, inked at the WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, the international organisation will provide specialist support to Africa’s medical…

Sall on hand to open Senegal’s new mosque

President Macky Sall was on hand Friday as a new mosque – billed as West Africa’s largest – opened in Dakar. Sall attended the ceremony, his motorcade winding among massive throngs that gathered in the Grande Mosquée Massalikoul Djinane in the Bope section of the city, where Senegal’s Mouride Brotherhood…

Africa showcases its startups at Viva Technology in Paris

President Emmanuel Macron of France wasn’t the only head of state to appear at Viva Technology in Paris, which wraps up the three-day expo on Saturday. Also on hand were President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, who participated in the Africa Tech forum. They were…

China welcomes news of Sall win in Senegal’s elections

The government of China has extended its congratulations to President Macky Sall of Senegal, who was declared winner of the country’s February 24 election by the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome (CENA). Lu Kang, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the news during a Friday briefing and said Sall…

Senegal’s CENA asks for patience as it tallies election results

Senegal’s electoral commission has until Friday to release the former results of Sunday’s election, but the early results suggest that President Macky Sall is headed toward a second term. That said, the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome (CENA) is asking candidates and their supporters to refrain from announcing victory or prematurely…

Senegal’s voters head to the polls

Voters in Senegal head to the polls on Sunday in a closely watched contest that’s raised concerns over electoral violence and a democratic process. Five candidates, including incumbent President Macky Sall, are competing for the presidency. The others include  Issa Sall and the Unity and Assembly Party (PUR); Ousmane Sonko of…