Amnesty urges independent probe into Senegal deaths
Amnesty International, a rights organization, has urged Senegalese authorities to launch their own investigations into the tragic clashes that occurred during protests last week, in which at least 23 people died
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
Amnesty's death toll is higher than the government's 16-count official announcement of deaths.
Three children were among the 23 dead, the rights organization claims. It said that during the violent protests on June 1 and 2, there were documented deaths "including some by gunfire" in the capital Dakar and the southern town of Ziguinchor.
"We call on the authorities to carry out a credible, independent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these deaths and to ensure that those responsible for unlawful killings are prosecuted according to fair trial standards," it stated.
The Senegalese administration had already said that an investigation into the protest killings had begun. It hasn't commented on Amnesty's assertion.
Senegal has seen a recent uptick in protests in response to opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's trial.
After Mr. Sonko was given a two-year prison sentence in absentia for immoral behavior but was absolved of rape allegations last week, violent protests broke out.
His defenders assert that his accusations are partisan.
