At least nine people were killed in Senegal during clashes between riot police and protesters after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison.
Interior Minister Antoine Diome announced the casualties in a late-night news conference following a day of violence across the country.
Mr. Diome stated that social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp had been disabled.
Some of the most violent clashes occurred in Ziguinchor, Sonko’s hometown.
The prison sentence, which was imposed in his absence, could prevent the opposition leader from running in the presidential election next year.
He was convicted of immoral behavior but not of rape.
The ruling means he was found to have acted immorally toward a person under the age of 21. The charges were brought in response to allegations made by a massage therapist. He flatly denied any wrongdoing.
Following the deadly unrest, the Senegalese government says it will take all necessary precautions to protect people and property.
