Youths protesting a coronavirus curfew fought with security forces in the Senegalese capital Dakar overnight Wednesday, burning tyres and erecting barricades as police fired tear gas.
The main clashes were in the city s Ngor district, while other incidents were reported in the Medina and Yoff areas and suburban Pikine, Guediawaye and Thiaroye.
The violence erupted on the first night of a 9 pm-5 am curfew announced by President Macky Sall for Dakar and the adjoining region of Thies.
Together, they account for nearly 90 percent of Senegal s Covid-19 cases, according to health authorities.
The government defended the curfew as it came into effect, saying the step was justified by rampant growth in infections, severe cases. and the number of deaths.