Senegal presidential rival in court amid protests

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko had been held in custody following a court appearance, as protests against his earlier arrest rage for a third day.

Mr Sonko, who denies charges of rape, is once again being detained "over the matter of disturbing public order" according to his lawyer, who says his arrest on Wednesday was for the same offence.

Cars have been set alight on streets in the capital Dakar, where reinforcements have been sent to protect government buildings. One person has died in the demonstrations, and the government says an inquest is under way.

Senegal's government has also condemned the protests as a "flagrant violation" of its health state of emergency put in place to tackle coronavirus.

Mr Sonko, 46, heads the opposition Pastef party and says the charges are politically motivated to stop him running in elections in 2024.

Mr Sonko came third in the 2019 presidential election and has accused President Macky Sall of manoeuvring to run for an unconstitutional third term.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP