Senegal is facing a growing economic crisis due to what is known as ”hidden debts,” estimated at around $7 billion. The current regime accuses former President Macky Sall of being responsible for them, while the latter denies these accusations, amid direct repercussions represented by rising living costs.

In this context, hundreds of workers, union members and opposition supporters took to the streets in protest demonstrations over the past few hours, denouncing the high cost of living and demanding that the government fulfill the social commitments included in a charter signed a year ago.

The protesters, including the “Trade Union Front for the Defense of Labor” and the ”Front for the Defense of Democracy and the Republic,” raised several demands, most notably the resignation of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the dismissal of the “hidden debt” issue as invalid.

A few days earlier, Sonko had announced austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending, including postponing his foreign visits and canceling travel for members of his government except for essential tasks, noting that additional measures were expected in the energy sector and would be announced later.

The Secretary General of the National Confederation of Senegalese Workers reveals the details

For his part, Mody Guirou, Secretary General of the National Confederation of Senegalese Workers, explained that the protests came as a result of the government's breach of a previous agreement to freeze strikes in exchange for improved wages and working conditions.

Protesters' demands

The protesters also demanded the reinstatement of dismissed civil servants to their jobs, a reduction in income tax, and the payment of outstanding bonuses.

Senegalese president warns

In a related context, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomêne Faye warned of the repercussions of the war in the Middle East, stressing that it could lead to pressure on supply chains and higher transportation and energy costs, which would negatively affect the Senegalese economy.