The Senegalese government announced on Tuesday that it was temporarily closing its consulates general abroad following attacks on a number of them amid heightened tensions on the national territory.
"This precautionary measure follows the series of attacks recently perpetrated against Senegalese diplomatic and consular missions abroad, including in Paris, Bordeaux (France), Milan (Italy) and New York," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on social networks.
Senegal has been shaken by high tensions in recent days: the country experienced between 1 and 3 June its worst troubles in years after the sentencing to two years in prison of the opponent Ousmane Sonko in a case of morality. This condemnation of a popular personality in youth and disadvantaged backgrounds makes him ineligible for the 2024 presidential election. It sparked clashes that left at least 16 people dead and extensive damage. It has led to protests abroad.
Videos published on social networks on Tuesday showed the façade of the Senegalese consulate in Paris, in the sixteenth arrondissement, covered with tags hostile to the government of Macky Sall.
The Senegalese consulate in Paris vandalized. pic.twitter.com/tWaY7BkTas
— P_A_P_I_G_U_E_Y_E (@Papgeye) June 6, 2023
Others showed what is presented as the interior of the Bordeaux consulate, invaded by a dozen people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported "serious damage", particularly in Milan where the machines for producing passports and identity cards were destroyed. Consulates will reopen "when material and security conditions permit," he said.
🔴 The Consulate of #Senegal in Bordeaux in #France invaded and ransacked by resistance fighters from the diaspora #FreeSenegal#Africa #Africa#OusmaneSonko
#Francafrique #MackySallDictateur
Strength and Honor to the Senegalese ✌🏽💥 people pic.twitter.com/1KABXoRI9M
— John LIBRE 🇬🇦🇨🇵💥🎯🎤 (@Cosa76) June 1, 2023
The protest therefore seems to have crossed the country's borders and spread to the states where the Senegalese diaspora is very present. Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) put the number of Senegalese emigrants worldwide at 700,000 in 2020 (for a population of about 18 million), including about 400,000 in OECD countries (mostly developed countries), mainly in France and Italy, and about 230,000 in West Africa. 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.
