Senegal temporarily closes consulates abroad after attacks amidst heightened tensions

The Senegalese government announced on Tuesday that it was temporarily closing its consulates general abroad following attacks against a number of them amid heightened tensions on the national territory.

“This precautionary measure follows the series of attacks recently perpetrated against the diplomatic and consular missions of Senegal abroad, in particular in Paris, Bordeaux (France), Milan (Italy) and New York”, indicated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Affairs in a statement posted on social media.

Senegal has been shaken by strong tensions for the past few days: between June 1 and June 3, the country experienced its worst unrest in years after opponent Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison in a sex scandal. This conviction of a popular figure in youth and underprivileged circles makes him currently ineligible for the 2024 presidential election. It sparked clashes that left at least 16 dead and considerable damage. It gave rise to demonstrations abroad.

Videos posted on social networks on Tuesday showed the facade of the Senegalese consulate in Paris, in the 16th arrondissement, covered with tags hostile to the government of Macky Sall.

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, according to him, destroyed. The consulates will reopen “when material and security conditions allow it”, he said.

The protest therefore seems to have crossed the country’s borders and reached the states where the Senegalese diaspora is very present. Data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) put the number of Senegalese emigrants in the world at 700,000 in 2020 (for a population of around 18 million), including around 400,000 in the OECD countries (mostly developed countries), mainly in France and Italy, and about 230,000 in West Africa. A country’s consulates are responsible for relations with nationals of that country in another state. They ensure their protection, issue passports and organize elections.