On Monday the Senegalese slowly began to return to their activities. The country is reeling from the economic shock of the recent violence and fears of yet another outbreak in an uncertain political environment.
Many workers in the informal economy, the unregulated economy that supports the majority of Senegalese people on a daily basis, have resumed their work in Dakar, counting their losses and knowing that some factors in the unrest that killed 16 people last week are dangerous. Currently.
Magaye Gaye, 19, a toilet seller at Chandaka market in the center of the capital, closed his shop on Wednesday. “I have spent all my savings to survive”. On Sunday, he said he “saw things calm down a bit” on Monday and (a) decided to return to work” but was “not committed yet”.
Gunfire
Mr. in the sex scandal. Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison, sparking the most violent clashes the country has seen in years. The ruling disqualifies an opponent from the 2024 presidential election who is popular among the under-twenties, who represent half of the population in the current state.
Youths clashed with security forces, looted public facilities and set fire to businesses and gas stations. The unrest caused unquantified but substantial damage and brought operations to a standstill by the end of the week.
Public security director Ibrahima Diop assured Sunday that “the situation is under control and the situation has returned to calm.”
The streets of the capital are gradually filling up again. But many bank branches were closed. A huge queue stretched from the first hour in front of the headquarters of a large bank to debit checks or withdraw money.
The beginning of the month, the time to collect the salary. Most payments are made in cash. Others can usually be done via mobile platforms. But the government shut down mobile internet on Sunday after blocking access to social networking sites like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.
“to confirm”
“Banks have been closed since Wednesday. Salaries and pensions have not been received. Daily wage workers have not been paid. People have not been able to get medical treatment,” said Adi Diyam, who is angry in the queue because of lack of money. A 45-year-old revenue controller.
“The little that people have, that’s what brings the rebellion,” he said, urging President Mackey to address the road.
The director of public safety announced 500 arrests, “mainly armed and dangerous persons”. After the home minister, he described the unrest as partly subversive acts by foreign elements and aimed at “establishing an atmosphere of terror”.
Mr. Sonko’s party condemns him, calling it a “murderous crackdown” and 19 dead. Images showing police abuse on social media show abuses by police, whose credibility is difficult to establish. Rights defenders have sharply criticized the spate of arrests and restrictions on internet access.
After his conviction, Mr. Sonko is still believed to be at his home in Dakar, barricaded by security forces and exposed to possible arrest, threatening to spark further anger.
Another vector of tension is the uncertainty that President Saul maintains about whether or not he wants to run for a third term. Such a hypothesis meets strong opposition supported by the provisions of the Constitution.
At Sandaga market, Modou Gueye, 46, a thrift store vendor, notes that “customers don’t come because they are afraid.” But “we live day by day. No work to eat, no work, no food. There, nothing in our pocket”. As Tabaski, the local name for the Muslim festival of Adha, approaches, buying mutton is a must.
Mansoor Champey, a consulting economist, notes that the damage is already substantial, with “billions of CFA francs lost in two days”. “The biggest risk for investors is political risks. We forecast 9 to 10% growth (in 2023), and we are halfway there”. But with the uncertainty between now and the 2024 presidential election, “the entire second half risks being lost”.
The president must speak, he says, “and he must promise.”
This article was published automatically. Sources: ats / afp
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