Senegal in Turmoil: Protests, Violence, and Social Media Shutdown

The death toll from anti-government protests in Senegal has risen to 15, with violent protests in several cities killing six people on Friday, taking the total number killed this week to 15. The protests were sparked by the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, which could prevent him from running in the February presidential election. Mobs smashed windows and looted shops, and the government has enlisted the army to back up the many riot police still stationed around the city. The unrest is the latest in a string of opposition protests in Senegal, sparked by Sonko's court case as well as concerns that President Macky Sall will try to bypass the two-term limit and run again in February elections.