Senegalese Consulate Closures Amid Rising Tensions and Attacks Abroad

2023-06-07 07:29:06

The Senegalese government announced Tuesday, June 6 to temporarily close its consulates general abroad following attacks against a number of them against a backdrop of strong tensions on the national territory.

“This precautionary measure follows the series of attacks recently perpetrated against the diplomatic and consular missions of Senegal abroad, in particular in Paris, Bordeaux, Milan and New York”the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on social media.

He reports on “serious damage”, in particular in Milan where the machines for the production of passports and identity cards were, according to him, destroyed. Consulates will reopen “when the material and security conditions allow it”he says.

Some 700,000 Senegalese worldwide

Senegal experienced between the 1is and on June 3 its worst troubles for years after the condemnation to two years in prison of opponent Ousmane Sonko in a morality case. This conviction of a popular figure in youth and underprivileged circles makes him currently ineligible for the 2024 presidential election. It sparked clashes that left at least sixteen dead and considerable damage. It gave rise to demonstrations abroad.

The consulates of a country are responsible for relations with nationals of that country in another State. They ensure their protection, issue passports and organize elections. Data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) put the number of Senegalese emigrants in the world at some 700,000 in 2020, including around 400,000 in OECD countries (mostly developed countries ), mainly in France and Italy, and about 230,000 in West Africa. The population of Senegal is approximately 18 million people.

The World with AFP

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