DAKAR (Reuters) – Thousands of Senegalese took to the streets to celebrate the country’s Independence Day on Tuesday, in a show of patriotism just a week after political tensions led to violent clashes between security forces and opposition supporters.
People lined the streets of the capital Dakar to watch the first military parade to be held in the city in four years following a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s the first time I’ve attended,” said Daouda Tall, a student at the University of Dakar as soldiers clapped and sang and tanks drove down a central boulevard.
“It’s really moving. When you see this, you are proud to be Senegalese,” he said. “We have peace of mind, we know we are safe.”
Senegal, which gained independence from France in 1960, is widely viewed as one of the most stable democracies in West Africa, but concern that President Macky Sall may try to run for a third term has fuelled protests over the last few years.
Security forces clashed last week with supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was sentenced in a court case for libel.
(Reporting by Ngouda Dione and Joel Kouam; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Conor Humphries)
