Senegal has been rocked by a wave of violence since opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on 1 June. The Senegalese government announced on Tuesday that it was temporarily closing its consulates general abroad following attacks on a number of them.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported "serious damage", particularly in Milan where the machines for producing passports and identity cards were destroyed. The consulates of one country are responsible for relations with nationals of that country in another State. They ensure their protection, issue passports and organize elections.