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SENEGAL: Artists in the streets against new state measures

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Portrait of smiling African-American man playing guitar while recording music at home, copy space

Concern over a second wave of Covid-19 contamination has forced Senegalese authorities to toughen government health measures and ban all forms of protests. The musicians, dancers and actors who saw their sales drop considerably during this pandemic period, are criticizing these new measures especially in December, when the programs related to the end of the year 2020 were already set.

In response, the artists have planned to organize a sit-in on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the Place de l’Obeélisque, renamed Place de la Nation. However, the prefect of Dakar opposed any such demonstration that would violate the new preventive measures.However, the artists remain determined, supported and accompanied by Ngoné Ndour, President of the Board of Directors of the Senegalese Society of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (SODAV). They intend to organise their event with or without authorisation from the competent authorities. 

This lack of confidence on the part of the artists can be explained by the fact that they have been deeply affected by the measures to ban assembly since the first case declared in Senegal in March 2020. They demand the immediate lifting of these measures and the possibility of organizing all planned events by just making it mandatory to wear the mask. A meeting made possible thanks to the mediation of the famous artist Youssou Ndour, will be hosted by the new Minister of the Interior, Antoine Felix Diome, on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at exactly 7 pm.

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However, the head of SODAV clearly said in “Real One” on RFM radio: “We are maintaining our mobilization, with or without authorization, by listening attentively to today’s meeting with the Minister of the Interior, at 7 pm.”

       

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