Police officer killed in Senegal clashes ahead of Sonko's trial
Authorities said that a police officer died during riots in the southern town of Ziguinchor between Senegalese security personnel and followers of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
Conflicts broke out on Monday close to Mr. Sonko's house, where he has been residing in defiance of any summonses to appear in court for a rape trial.
Since last week, his supporters have gathered in front of his home out of concern that police could try to detain him and take him to court.
The policeman was "accidentally hit by a vehicle" during the violence on Monday, according to a statement from the Senegalese interior ministry.
According to reports, security in the capital Dakar has been stepped up in preparation for the start of Mr. Sonko's rape trial on Tuesday.
He was prosecuted as a result of a woman's claims that he assaulted her two years ago when she was working at a massage parlor.
The allegations, according to Mr. Sonko and his backers, are a plot to prevent him from running in the 2024 presidential election.
On May 8, after the original two-month sentence had been reviewed, he was given a six-month suspended sentence for defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang.
