Senegal temporarily closes Consulates abroad after attacks

Senegal’s Foreign ministry has announced the decision to temporarily close its general Consulates around the world, after the missions reportedly came under attacks.

In a statement, the ministry indicated the move came after Senegalese Embassies and Consulates in Paris, Milan, Bordeaux and New York were targeted by recent aggressions.

“These acts caused serious damage, particularly at the Senegalese Consulate General in Milan, where the machines used to produce passports and national identity cards were destroyed”, the ministry said.

“The service will resume as soon as material and safety conditions permit,” the ministry added.

Senegal was rocked by several days of unrest following last Thursday’s condemnation of an opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. A court in Dakar sentenced the politician to two years in jail on charges of ‘corrupting youth’ in a rape case involving a young woman aged less than 21.

The unrest spread to several cities including Sonko’s city, Ziguinchor. 16 people have lost their lives while 500 people have been arrested for violence.