Macky Sall - The African Mirror

Feb

2023

Police fire tear gas at supporters of Senegal opposition leader Sonko

NGOUDA DIONE POLICE fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko after he left the court in the capital Dakar where hearings are underway in a libel case against him. The demonstrations are the latest sign of unrest in the West African country where elections next year could pit Sonko against President Macky Sall, if the president seeks a third term, a move that opponents say is unconstitutional. Sall, 61, has not ruled out running in the election which the government said on Thursday would take place on February 25, 2024. Sonko supporters and…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Africa needs to learn to feed itself, says Senegal president

NEWS

BATE FELIX AFRICA must produce more food instead of relying on imports and aid, Senegalese President Macky Sall told leaders gathered in the West African nation's capital for a summit. The continent is facing its worst food crisis ever, with more than one in five Africans – a record 278 million people – facing hunger, according to United Nations estimates. Heavy debt burdens from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine which raised prices of fuel, grain and edible oils and diverted aid have added to long-term causes of food insecurity such as climate change and conflict, experts say. "Africa…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Senegal declares national mourning after bus crash kills dozens

NEWS

NGOUDA DIONE THIRTY-EIGHT people died and about 80 were wounded in central Senegal after two buses collided in the early hours of Sunday, local officials and President Macky Sall said in statements. The crash, one of the deadliest in the West African country's recent memory, was on one of the main east-west arteries near the town of Kaffrine, about 220 kilometres (137 miles) southeast of the capital Dakar. Sall said on Twitter that he was "profoundly saddened" by the accident and announced three days of mourning starting on Monday. The accident occurred after the tyre of one passenger bus burst,…

Jul

2022

By The African Mirror

“Future for African gas is bright”

NEWS

AARON ROSS SENEGALESE President Macky Sall said there is growing international support for developing gas resources in Africa as part of the continent's energy transition. African leaders have bristled at pledges by Western countries to eliminate or reduce development financing in Africa for gas projects in the name of fighting climate change, even as those same countries tout gas as a "transition fuel" at home. On Wednesday, the European Parliament backed EU rules labelling investments in gas and nuclear power plants as climate-friendly. Gas is a fossil fuel that produces planet-warming emissions, but far less than coal. "We need to…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal threatens to close borders

COVID-19

SENEGAL’S President Macky Sall has threatened to close the borders and re-impose a state of emergency after the country registered a new record number of daily COVID-19 cases for the third time in a week. While Senegal has seen relatively few coronavirus cases and deaths so far, it does not have enough doses to vaccinate widely as it experiences a third wave of the virus. The health ministry reported 738 new cases on Friday, more than the previous records of 733 on Wednesday and 529 on Sunday. "I would like to say very clearly that if the numbers continue to…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Artist tackles politics, pandemic with paint

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NELLIE PEYTON and NGOUDA DIONE WHEN Senegal erupted in violent protests this month over perceived injustice and inequality, artist Omar Ba was tackling the issues in his own way, with paint on canvas. "What the youth are doing in the streets is the same thing I'm doing in my studio," said Ba, stepping in black paint and making footprints on a new canvas in his airy workspace outside the capital, Dakar. Ba, one of Senegal's best-known contemporary artists, has often used his art to make political statements. A current exhibit at the Galerie Templon in Brussels, 'Anomalies', critiques power-hungry leaders…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal shuts schools amid violent unrest

NEWS

SCHOOLS in Senegal will be closed until March 15, the education ministry has announced, after days of violent protests that have paralysed parts of the capital Dakar and are expected to continue next week. At least five people have died in demonstrations sparked by the arrest on Wednesday of Ousmane Sonko, Senegal's most prominent opposition leader. It is the worst political unrest in years in a country widely seen as one of West Africa's most stable. Sonko, who enjoys strong support among the young, was arrested after an employee of a beauty salon accused him of raping her. Sonko denies…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal’s hospitals stretched

COVID-19

EDWARD McALLISTER and DIADIE BA SENEGAL is rushing to provide more hospital beds for coronavirus patients as infections soar and a lack of capacity means doctors are only able to admit the most severe cases, health officials said. A second wave of new infections and deaths hit record highs this month, forcing President Macky Sall to reimpose a state of emergency that bans gatherings and enforces mask-wearing. Doctors hope that will buy authorities enough time to install new facilities and reopen health centres that were active during the first wave last year but were shuttered as cases dropped in the…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal imposes new state of emergency

COVID-19

SENEGAL’S President Macky Sall has announced a new state of emergency in response to record cases of coronavirus sweeping parts of the West African nation. Starting today, a nighttime curfew will be enforced in the regions of Dakar and Thies, which Sall said are home to more than 90% of cases. Mask-wearing will be mandatory and large gatherings banned. The new measures come six months after the first state of emergency was lifted in an attempt to bolster an economy hit hard by restrictions on movement during the first wave of the virus. Senegal has reported 19,964 COVID-19 infections and…