Senegal election: Could unrest unravel the country?

Protests broke out over the weekend in Senegal following the postponement of the upcoming elections by President Macky Sall.

The police had fired tear gas at protesters and made arrests. Mobile internet had been suspended in order to prevent what authorities describe as ‘hateful and subversive messages’ from being spread online.

Over the weekend police have fired tear gas at protesters and made arrests. Mobile internet had been suspended in order to prevent what authorities describe as ‘hateful and subversive messages’ from being spread online.

Protesters say Senegal’s reputation as a stable democracy is at risk. Unlike all its neighbours, it’s never suffered a coup or a civil war since its independence from France in 1960. Now some worry that if the unrest there continues, it could further destabilise a region where four countries are currently under military rule.

The BBC’s Mayeni Jones looks into the situation in the “Land of Teraanga”.