Senegal MP slaps female politician in the Parliament; lawmakers exchange blows, hurl chair | Watch
A male lawmaker in opposition slapped a female lawmaker in the Senegal parliament after she criticised a spiritual leader who is a critic of President Macky Sall's third term. Lawmakers exchanged blows and hurled a chair in Senegal's parliament on Thursday over a perceived insult towards an influential pro-opposition religious leader.
FollowDuring a budget session, a male member of the Senegalese parliament slapped a female member of the ruling coalition Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY). According to a video footage, Amy Ndiaye Gniby was slapped in the parliament by opposition politician Massata Samb.
Following the event, there was a huge altercation among the politicians. Gniby was spotted tripping and falling before throwing a chair at Samb. Legislators were seen attempting to stop them from fighting. The meeting was called to a halt as legislators began verbal scuffles.
The situation unfolded over criticism by Gniby of a spiritual leader opposed to a third term of President Macky Sall.
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"Mister president, a deputy has stood in front of this tribune to insult someone's marabout [spiritual leader]," Samb was quoted by media reports. Samb reportedly came up and slapped Gniby after she apparently laughed mockingly at Samb's comments and said she didn't care.
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Tensions have grown between ruling and opposition politicians since a July legislative election in which the ruling party lost its comfortable majority, damaged in part by concerns President Macky Sall will seek a third term in 2024.
The physical assault on Ndiaye happened in conjunction with a campaign to raise awareness of violence against women and girls, and several members of the ruling coalition as well as feminist activists denounced it.
West Africa, a region known for coups and dictatorships, looks to Senegal as a model of stability and democracy. Sall was chosen in 2012 for a seven-year term and again in 2019 for a five-year term. His ambitions for the next 2024 presidential election remain a secret.
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