Senegal's Consulate Closures: Insights and Updates on Recent Vandalism and Political Unrest

2023-06-09 14:23:46

DIn a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad indicates that “this recovery will be done taking into account the state of degradation of the equipment and the premises with regard to the consulates having suffered acts of vandalism” .

The ministry stressed on Tuesday that the decision to close the consulates is a precautionary measure which “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”.

“These acts caused serious damage, particularly to the Consulate General of Senegal in Milan, where the machines used to produce passports and national identity cards were destroyed,” according to the same source.

Spontaneous demonstrations followed the June 1 sentencing of opponent Ousmane Sonko, declared presidential candidate of 2024, to two years in prison for having pushed a young woman under 21 to “debauchery”.

A total of 16 people were killed in Dakar and Ziguinchor (south), and 500 people were arrested following these acts of violence, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

Senegalese Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall said Thursday during a meeting with ambassadors accredited to Dakar that the government has restored order in the country and will continue to maintain it.

“The government has restored order and will continue to restore it, but above all it will continue to ensure the safety of people and property, both Senegalese and foreigners living in Senegal. It will protect both the institutions of Senegal as well as the international institutions established in this country,” said the head of Senegalese diplomacy.