By Enyichukwu Enemanna
For the first time in four years, Senegal held the first military parade to mark the country’s Independence anniversary on Tuesday, a week after political crisis that led to confrontation between security forces and opposition supporters.
Citizens took to the streets lined the streets of the capital Dakar to watch the first military parade after the Covid-19 restrictions in the country.
“It’s the first time I’ve attended,” said Daouda Tall, a student at the University of Dakar as soldiers clapped and sang and tanks drove down a central boulevard.
“It’s really moving. When you see this, you are proud to be Senegalese,” he said. “We have peace of mind, we know we are safe”, the told Reuters.
Senegal, which gained independence from France in 1960, is widely viewed as one of the most stable democracies in West Africa, but concern that President Macky Sall may try to run for a third term has fuelled protests over the last few years.
Security forces clashed last week with supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was sentenced in a court case for libel.
