Protests in Senegal turned deadly as two people were killed following the arrest of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko. The country's interior ministry confirmed the deaths in the southern city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko serves as mayor and is a popular figure for the 2024 presidential elections.

The protests erupted after Sonko was remanded in custody on charges that include plotting an insurrection. In response to the unrest and violence, Senegal's Interior Minister dissolved Sonko’s Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF) party, marking the first time a political party has been banned in the country since its independence from France.

Sonko's supporters have accused President Macky Sall's ruling party of using fabricated charges to sideline the opposition leader. The 48-year-old former tax inspector has been facing legal troubles, which he claims are an attempt to make him ineligible to run in the 2024 presidential race.

Sonko had previously been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison on corruption charges. These previous convictions resulted in violent clashes that left multiple dead. The current charges against Sonko include undermining state security, criminal association with a terrorist body, disseminating false news, and theft.

Sonko's lawyers have denounced the arrest and referred to it as a "plot" planned by the government. Sonko has also started a hunger strike to protest his detention. Sporadic clashes between protesters and police were reported, with authorities restricting mobile internet access due to "hateful and subversive messages" on social media.

Amnesty International condemned the internet restrictions, calling them an attack on freedom of information. The fast train link between Dakar and its suburbs also announced a halt in service due to malicious acts committed by protesters. Despite the ongoing protests and unrest, some believe that Sonko's political career may be effectively over. However, his supporters remain defiant and continue to call for resistance against oppression.