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☆ French connection strikes as PSG beat AC Milan to go top
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Another Kylian Mbappe moment of magic and a Randal Kolo Muani goal helped Paris St Germain beat a toothless AC Milan 3-0 at the Parc des Princes to go top of their Champions League Group F on Wednesday. "We play as a team, we make the efforts for our team mates, that's how we do it." Kolo Muani said: "We wanted to control the match and go for the win. PSG got off to an aggressive start but were outnumbered in the midfield and struggled to free themselves from Milan's pressing play. PSG next travel on Nov. 7 to Milan, who will need what would be their first win in the group stage to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Paris St Germain, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele, Lee Kang, Warren Zaire, Emery, Luis Enrique's, Milan's Olivier Giroud, Manuel Ugarte, Dembele, Kolo, Mike Maignan, Christian Pulisic, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rafael Leao's, Maignan, Lee, Julien Pretot, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Paris St, Milan, Princes, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, AC Milan, League, PSG, Borussia, Newcastle, Thomson Locations: Parc, France, Zaire, Milan

☆ Hakimi shines as PSG win 3-1 at Rennes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RENNES, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Rennes after Achraf Hakimi scored one goal and created another on Sunday to help the capital club move up to third in Ligue 1 two points off the pace set by AS Monaco. Before Rennes could recover, the Roazhon Park crowd was silenced once again four minutes later when PSG right back Hakimi ghosted past an unsuspecting defence and headed in 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery's cross from close range. Rennes improved after the break and hit back in the 56th minute when they pounced on a loose pass and Amine Gouiri headed home Ludovic Blas's cross to halve the deficit. PSG's Luis Enrique brought on Randal Kolo Muani a minute later and the forward got on the scoresheet almost immediately with a first-time finish from Hakimi's pass, leaving Rennes shell-shocked and their coach Bruno Genesio fuming on the bench. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Achraf Hakimi, Clermont Foot, Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, Warren, Ludovic Blas's, PSG's Luis Enrique, Randal Kolo Muani, Bruno Genesio fuming, PSG's Kylian Mbappe, Steve Mandanda, Frenchman, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: RENNES, Paris St, Rennes, Ligue, AS Monaco, PSG, Clermont, Newcastle United, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, Rennes, Warren Zaire, Hakimi's, Bengaluru

☆ Senegal seeks regulation deal with TikTok after ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TikTok logo is seen in this illustration taken, June 2, 2023. "For the time being, the restriction is being maintained pending the conclusion of a comprehensive written agreement," communications minister Moussa Bocar Thiam told a press conference, adding that authorities were in discussions with TikTok. During its discussions with TikTok, the government requested better regulation of the platform and asked questions about the functioning of its algorithm and data protection. It also asked for fair remuneration for content creators that would enable young people to make a living from social media. Reporting by Ngouda Dione; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Moussa Bocar Thiam, Ousmane Sonko, Macky Sall, TikTok, Ngouda Dione, Anait Miridzhanian, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Rights DAKAR, Sonko, West Africa

☆ Kolo Muani and Ramos score maiden PSG goals in win over Marseille
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos scored their first goals for Paris St Germain as the French champions crushed bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille 4-0 in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Kolo Muani and Ramos, with a brace, added to Achraf Hakimi's early opener to lift PSG up to third in the standings with 11 points from six games, two behind surprise leaders Stade Brestois. Marseille, who have had a rough week off the field amid a feud with their fans, are seventh on nine points. The night ended with PSG fans in the Boulogne kop celebrating with homophobic chants, and a big part of the crowd clapping along. The chants briefly stopped when Ramos scored the fourth goal after being set up by Kolo Muani at the end of a sharp counter-attack.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Paris St Germain, Kolo Muani, Ramos, Achraf, Kylian Mbappe, We're, Luis Enrique, Marcelino, Pablo Longoria, Frank McCourt, Jacques Abardonado, Enrique, Hakimi, Mbappe, Marcelo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, Pau Lopez's, Muani, Azzedine, Ilian, Ousmane Dembele's, Morgan Guilavogui, Julien Pretot, Clare Fallon Organizations: Paris St, Olympique de Marseille, Ligue, PSG, Stade Brestois, Parc des Princes, Marseille, OM, Vitinha, RC Lens, Toulouse, Sevilla, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Parc des, Provence, France, Marseille, Boulogne

☆ Nice shock PSG 3-2 with Moffi double
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They are one point behind second-placed Nice, still unbeaten in the 2023-24 campaign, and two points off leaders AS Monaco, who travel to Lorient on Sunday. But the game saw a quick turnaround when Moffi put Nice in front in the 21st minute, netting low inside the near post. "It was a great Nice team in front of us," substitute Randal Kolo Muani said. PSG did not lose any of their previous 13 home matches against Nice in all competitions. Nice, meanwhile, are one of four teams still unbeaten in the top-flight along with Rennes, Olympique de Marseille and Monaco this season.

Persons: Terem Moffi, Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembele, Marcin Bulka, Kylian Mbappe, Moffi, Bulka, Mbappe, Dembele, Gaetan Laborde, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sofiane Diop, Randal Kolo Muani, Anita Kobylinska, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Paris St, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, AS Monaco, Nice, Olympique de Marseille, Thomson Locations: Ligue, Nice, Lorient, Rennes, Monaco, Gdansk

☆ What happens to the Wagner Group after Yevgeny Prigozhin plane crash?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Courtesy PMC Wagner via Telegram via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - A day before mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane crash, a Russian official visited Libya to reassure allies that fighters from the Wagner Group would remain in the country -- but under Moscow's control. In Africa, Wagner may stay more or less intact under new management or be subsumed by another Russian mercenary group. 'REPLACE A DEAD LEADER'After the June mutiny, Prigozhin intensified his efforts to bolster Wagner's presence in Africa. In countries where Wagner operates through an official agreement with Moscow, analysts do not expect much to change - for now. But as Wagner was there through a state-level agreement with Russia, "nothing will affect the presence of these instructors" he said.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin's, Yunus, Bek Yevkurov, Khalifa Haftar, Jalel, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Putin, John Lechner, Haftar's, Harchaoui, Faustin, Fidele Gouandjika, Gouandjika, Ousmane Pare, Evro, Filip Lebedev, Ed McAllister, Tiemoko Diallo, Suleiman al, Angus McDowall, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Wagner, Telegram, REUTERS, Libyan, Royal United Services Institute, Central African, Wagner PMC, Human Rights Watch, Russian, Russia's Defence, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Africa, Libya, Benghazi, Russian, Moscow, Russia, Europe, East, Ukraine, Syria, Central African Republic, Mali, Belarus, U.S, Tripoli, Burkina Faso, Evro Polis, Reuters Libya, Tblisi, Dakar, Judicael Yongo, Bangui, Thiam Ndiaga, Ouagadougou, Bamako, Khalidi, Amman

☆ Mbappe and Dembele ready to start for PSG, says Luis Enrique
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forwards Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are both available and will be ready to start their Ligue 1 clash with Toulouse, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday. I am very happy to have a world-class player like Kylian," Luis Enrique told reporters ahead of Saturday's game. Luis Enrique added that Dembele would be ready to play "from the first minute" but also admitted the club need to strengthen their attack. Luis Enrique also said he had not chosen the team's captain yet, leaving that decision to his squad. "It's very simple, I don't choose the captain, the players choose.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Luis Enrique, Mbappe, Dembele, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Marquinhos, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Toulouse, Lorient, Inter Miami, Saudi, Al, Thomson Locations: Paris, Barcelona, Hilal, Bengaluru

☆ PSG coach Enrique hoping for solution to Mbappe dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 11 (Reuters) - Manager Luis Enrique said on Friday he hopes Paris Saint-Germain can find a solution to a dispute with Kylian Mbappe, noting the Ligue 1 club have prior experience in resolving contract issues with the French star. This is not the first time PSG and Mbappe have been involved in a contract standoff. Asked about Mbappe ahead of Saturday's season-opening home match against Lorient, Enrique told reporters: "It's a subject we've come across before and a solution was found between the club and the player. "He's not a PSG player yet, he won't be here tomorrow. Not 100%, but 99% he's a PSG player," Enrique said.

Persons: Luis Enrique, Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Mbappe, Enrique, Neymar, Marco Verratti, Ousmane Dembele, Aadi Nair Organizations: Paris Saint, Ligue, Mbappe, PSG, Real Madrid, Lorient, Parc des Princes, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, Parc des, Barcelona, Bengaluru

☆ PSG sign Portugal striker Ramos on loan from Benfica
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Primeira Liga - Portimonense v Benfica - Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portimao, Portugal - May 13, 2023 Benfica's Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes/File PhotoPARIS, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain have signed Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos from Benfica on a season-long loan with an option to buy, the Ligue 1 club announced on Monday. PSG is one of the biggest clubs in the world with one of the best squads," the 22-year-old said in a statement. Ramos made his debut for Benfica in 2020 after joining the club's academy aged 12 and scored 41 goals with 16 assists in 106 appearances for the Portuguese champions. The Ligue 1 champions are also close to completing a deal to sign France forward Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona. ($1 = 0.9088 euros)Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benfica's Goncalo Ramos, Rodrigo Antunes, Paris St Germain, Goncalo Ramos, Germain, Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Asensio, Milan Skriniar, Lee Kang, Hugo Ekitike, Lucas Hernandez, Manuel Ugarte, Christophe Galtier, Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembele, Janina Nuno Rios, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Primeira Liga, Benfica, Estadio Municipal de, Portugal, Ligue, Paris Saint, PSG, Thomson Locations: Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portimao, Portugal, Paris, Portuguese, Barcelona, Spain, France, Mexico City

☆ Barcelona bank on Gundogan, Lewandowski experience
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BARCELONA, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Barcelona claimed their 27th LaLiga title and first for four years last season led by coach Xavi Hernandez, relying on a mixture of young talent and seasoned veterans like striker Robert Lewandowski who was the league's top scorer. They recruited experienced midfielder Ikay Gundogan, who captained Manchester City to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble last season, ending a successful seven-year stint in England during which he won 12 major trophies. Gundogan will help mentor a young Barca squad as they try to retain the LaLiga crown and get back to winning ways in the Champions League after years of European disappointments. A Barcelona court has agreed to take on the case and UEFA has provisionally cleared the club to compete in this season's Champions League despite ongoing investigations. Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xavi Hernandez, Robert Lewandowski, Ikay Gundogan, Gundogan, Lionel Messi, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Luuk De Jong, Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Manchester City, Premier League, FA, League, Champions League, Europa League, Manchester United, Barcelona, UEFA, Nou, Paris St Germain, Getafe, Thomson Locations: BARCELONA, Barcelona, England, Spanish

☆ Senegal suspends TikTok saying it was threatening stability
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TikTok logo is seen in this illustration taken, June 2, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photoDAKAR, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Senegal has suspended access to social media app TikTok until further notice, the communications minister said on Wednesday, days after restricting the use of mobile internet amid opposition protests. The West African country has also restricted access to internet services since Monday, using a similar justification. The restrictions come after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was charged with plotting an insurrection, criminal conspiracy and other offences. Reporting by Ngouda Dione; Writing by Nellie Peyton; editing by Jason Neely and Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Ousmane Sonko, Macky, Sonko, Ngouda Dione, Nellie Peyton, Jason Neely, Alexander Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: DAKAR, Senegal

☆ Senegal opposition leader Sonko charged with plotting insurrection
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Ngouda Dione | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DAKAR, July 29 (Reuters) - Senegal's opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was charged on Saturday with plotting an insurrection, criminal conspiracy and other offenses, two months after his trial for a separate rape charge sparked deadly riots across the country. Sonko, 49, was handed a two-year prison sentence on June 1 for immoral behavior towards individuals younger than 21, leading to protests in which at least 16 people were killed. Sonko was detained on Friday following a scuffle with security forces stationed outside his home, who he claimed were filming him without permission. Playing videos from a laptop of Sonko making allegedly inciteful speeches, Senegal's state prosecutor Abdou Karim Diop told a crowded press conference that Sonko would be freshly charged with calling for insurrection, plotting against the state and criminal conspiracy, among other charges. Reporting by Ngouda Dione; Writing by Cooper Inveen; Editing by Bate FelixOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Abdou Karim Diop, Ngouda Dione, Cooper Inveen, Bate Felix Organizations: Thomson Locations: DAKAR

☆ From restaurants to water towers, unrest dents Senegal's economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Sofia Christensen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An attack on a state-owned water plant could create shortages in Dakar, where it hasn't rained for eight months and where water cuts are common, Diome said. Bus company Dem Dikk, which is part state owned and whose beige buses are recurring targets during protests, partially resumed services this week. Attacks on its buses have cost the company over $7 million since March 2021, CEO Ousmane Sylla told Reuters. Stalled operations can cost Dem Dikk up to $80,000 in losses per day and make it tricky for thousands of commuters to get to work. "It is creating unemployment," he said, adding that it was already difficult for graduates to find jobs before the unrest.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, Diome, Read, Ousmane Sylla, Dem, Sylla, . University student Mbodj, Saint Louis, Ngouda Dione, Sofia Christensen, Edward McAllister, Sharon Singleton Organizations: KFC, Sedima Group, International Labour Organization . Bus, Reuters, . University student, Thomson Locations: DAKAR, Senegal, Dakar, Mbour, Keur Massar, Saint

☆ Senegal, one of Africa's bastions of stability, faces its gravest threat of unrest in decades
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

DAKAR, Senegal - June 2, 2023: Supporters of jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko protest in the Senegalese capital following his two-year sentencing for "corrupting the youth." The criminal conviction of a populist opposition leader in Senegal has triggered widespread unrest that threatens the West African country's long-established political stability. "The African Union and ECOWAS should use their influence to press Senegalese authorities to end their repression of protests and critics." The underlying roots of the unrest are both political and socio-economic, according to analysts at African specialist intelligence company Pangea-Risk. Consumer price inflation has slowed since late 2022, but hovers at around 9%, with food prices up more than 11% year-on-year.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Kaneza Nantulya, Antonio Guterres, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Kaneza, Sonko, Macky, Sall Organizations: Human Rights Watch, United Nations, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, African Union Locations: DAKAR, Senegal, Africa

In one post, the 26-year-old student warned his 1,700 followers about security forces firing live rounds at protesters. Offline he helped too, showing elderly neighbours how to ease their discomfort from inhaling mouthfuls of tear gas, said his younger brother Djimbala Ba. His supporters say the charges were politically motivated and have taken to the streets in their thousands, hurling rocks at security forces, setting cars and buildings alight and ransacking supermarkets and gas stations. Security forces deny firing on protesters or using excessive force. Ba and Ndiaye said he was shot by security forces.

Persons: Elhaji Cisse, Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Djimbala Ba, Cisse braved, Ba, Cheikh Ndiaye, Cisse, Elon Musk, it's, Ndiaye, Macky Sall, Sall, Edward McAllister, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Police, Security, Real, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Dakar, DAKAR, Senegal's, Canada, Real Madrid

☆ Senegal: Death toll from deadly protests rises to 16 amid internet cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Many protesters also sustained injuries amid clashes for a third day with security forces, following Sonko’s sentencing. Security forces look at supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko during clashes after Sonko was sentenced to prison, in Dakar, Senegal, June 3, 2023. ArrestsMore than 500 people have been arrested, Senegalese Director of Public Security, Ibrahima Diop, in said a televised address late Sunday. People walk past a bus shelter shattered during clashes between supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and security forces, after Sonko was sentenced to prison in Dakar, Senegal June 3, 2023. Supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko clash with security forces after Sonko was sentenced to prison in Dakar, Senegal June 2, 2023.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Zohra Bensemra, Reuters Sonko, Macky, Ibrahima Diop, “, ” Diop, Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, Netblocks, Edward McAllister Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Public Security, Patriots, Senegalese, Amnesty Locations: Senegal, Dakar, Senegalese

☆ Senegal government cuts mobile internet access amid deadly rioting
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A supporter of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko walks near a burning barricade during clashes with security forces after Sonko was sentenced to prison, in Dakar, Senegal, June 3, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra BensemraDAKAR, June 4 (Reuters) - Senegal's government has cut access to mobile internet services in certain areas because of deadly rioting in which "hateful and subversive" messages have been posted online, it said in a statement on Sunday. It extended the outage on Sunday to include all data on mobile internet devices in certain areas and at certain times, the statement said. "Because of the spread of hateful and subversive messages ... mobile Internet is temporarily suspended at certain hours of the day," the statement said. Reporting by Bate Felix Writing by Edward McAllister Editing by David Holmes and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Macky Sall's, Bate Felix, Edward McAllister, David Holmes, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Amnesty, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Dakar, DAKAR, Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Gabon, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo

[1/5] A view of a ransacked supermarket Auchan, after Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to prison in Dakar, Senegal June 3, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra BensemraDAKAR, June 3 (Reuters) - Streets filled with rubble and ransacked shops greeted residents of some Dakar neighbourhoods on Saturday - fallout from clashes between anti-government protesters and police that have gripped Senegal in recent days. Mobs smashed windows and looted at least two gas station shops overnight in Dakar's Ouakam and Ngor districts, while an Auchan supermarket in densely populated Grand Yoff was torched and ransacked. The unrest is the latest in a string of protests in Senegal, long considered one of West Africa's most stable democracies. The opposition is also concerned that President Macky Sall will try to bypass the two-term limit and run again in February elections.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Khadija, Ndiaye, Macky Sall, Edward McAllister, Bate Felix, Alessandra Prentice, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Dakar, DAKAR, Dakar's, Ouakam, West

[1/5] People put out burning barricades that were set on fire by supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, after Sonko was sentenced to prison in Dakar, Senegal June 1, 2023. Nine people were killed in clashes between riot police and Sonko supporters on Thursday after he was sentenced to two years for corrupting youth. The opposition says the verdict, which could prevent Sonko from running in elections next year, was politically motivated. Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar was the epicentre of Thursday's violence, with protesters setting buses alight and throwing rocks at riot police, who responded by firing tear gas. One student, Alioune Ndiaye, said he planned to travel hundreds of miles to his home in eastern Senegal to escape the violence.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Abdou Karim Fofana, Cheikh, Alioune Ndiaye, Macky Sall, Sall, Mouhamad Diouf, Diouf, Adji Sarr, Cheikh Hann, Bate Felix, Cooper Inveen, Sofia Christensen, Anait, Edward McAllister, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Army, Security, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Dakar, DAKAR, Senegalese, West, Ouakam

☆ Senegal Deploys Military and Blocks Social Media After Deadly Clashes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Elian Peltier | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison in a case that his supporters said was politically motivated. Shortly after the verdict, demonstrators brawled with security forces, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people, according to the government. Periodic demonstrations have broken out in Senegal since the arrest of Mr. Sonko in 2021 after a massage parlor employee accused him of rape. But the violence of Thursday brought tensions in Senegal, a largely peaceful country, to a new high. Protesters fought with security forces in multiple neighborhoods of Dakar, and parts of the city’s main university were damaged.

Persons: —, Ousmane Sonko, Sonko Organizations: Protesters Locations: Senegal, Dakar, West

The court found Sonko guilty of “corrupting youth,” according to state media, but cleared him of other charges, including rape. Sonko, 48, didn’t attend Thursday’s hearing and remained at his home, but following the verdict he can be arrested any time. Sonko’s political party PASTEF (Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity), said the verdict was politically motivated as he is challenging President Macky Sall’s government. Police intervene as supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko protest in Dakar on June 1, 2023. Annika Hammerschlag/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesA demonstrator hurls a stone at police in Dakar on June 1, 2023 during a protest.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, didn’t, Abdou Karim Fofana, Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, ” Nteblocks, Macky Sall’s, Annika Hammerschlag, John Wessels, “, Sall, who’s Organizations: CNN, Government, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, PASTEF, Patriots, Police, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: Senegal’s, Dakar, Senegal

DAKAR, June 1 (Reuters) - Nine people were killed in Senegal on Thursday in clashes between riot police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko after a court sentenced him to two years in jail, casting serious doubt on his chances of running for president next year. The justice ministry said the opposition leader could now be taken to prison at any time. Police remained stationed around his home Dakar as unrest flared in the capital and elsewhere after the verdict. But Sall's second term has been particularly turbulent for a country usually viewed as one of West Africa's strongest democracies. Separately, Sonko is appealing against a six-month suspended prison sentence for libel - an offence he also denies.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Bamba Ciss, Sonko's, Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, Abdou Karim Fofana, Ndiack Fall, Macky Sall, Sall, Ngouda Dione, Bate Felix, Diadie Ba, Edward McAllister, Sofia Christensen, Alessandra Prentice, Matthew Lewis, Andrew Heavens, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Police, REUTERS, University, Thomson Locations: DAKAR, Senegal, Dakar, Dakar Senegal, West, Lincoln

☆ Ousmane Sonko: Senegalese opposition leader jailed for two years for 'corrupting youth'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been sentenced to two years in prison for “corrupting youth,” according to state media. The conviction means Sonko, who has a large youth following and is the leader of the PASTEF party (Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity), will not be eligible to stand for the country’s upcoming 2024 elections. The court cleared Sonko of other charges, including rape, Radio Television Senegalaise said. Sonko previously said that the rape allegation was politically motivated by President Macky Sall’s government. More details soon…

Persons: CNN —, Ousmane Sonko, Senegalaise, Sonko, Macky Sall’s, … Organizations: CNN, Patriots, Radio Locations: Senegal

Sonko, 48, was accused of raping a woman who worked in a massage parlour in 2021, when she was 20, and making death threats against her. "With this sentence Sonko cannot be a candidate," said one of his lawyers, Bamba Cisse. University law professor Ndiack Fall said Sonko could demand a retrial if he turns himself in to authorities. But Sall's second term has been particularly turbulent for a country usually viewed as one of West Africa's strongest democracies. Separately, Sonko is appealing against a six-month suspended prison sentence for libel.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Bamba Cisse, Ndiack Fall, Sonko's, Sonko, Macky Sall, Sall, Ngouda Dione, Bate Felix, Sofia Christensen, Estelle Shirbon, Christina Fincher, Matthew Lewis Organizations: University, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: DAKAR, Dakar, West, Dakar Senegal, Senegal

☆ Senegal president promises fair election as tensions simmer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sporadic violent protests have broken out across Senegal since opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was detained for alleged rape in 2021. Sonko's supporters say this is a tactic to bar him from the February presidential poll, which the government denies. Sall on Wednesday welcomed members of various parties, religious leaders and civil society to a multi-day national dialogue aimed at easing tensions and fostering dialogue. As a result, neither was able to run for president in 2019. Khalifa Sall attended Wednesday's dialogue and said he hoped the president's potential third term bid was up for discussion.

Persons: Macky Sall, Ousmane Sonko, Sonko's, Sall, Sonko, Anger, Khalifa Sall, Karim Wade, Abdoulaye Wade, Sofia Christensen, Alessandra Prentice, Ngouda Dione, Bate Felix, William Maclean Organizations: Dakar, Khalifa, Thomson Locations: DAKAR, Senegal, Sonko's, Dakar, Sall

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