Thousands of protesters in Kenya and Senegal have
demonstrated in solidarity with Palestinians, condemning Israel’s ongoing war
on Gaza marked by mass casualties and a humanitarian crisis, including famine.
Protesters have called for international intervention, including cutting
diplomatic ties with Israel, and urged respect for UN resolutions towards a
two-state solution.
Widespread Protests in Senegal and Kenya
Thousands of people rallied in Dakar, Senegal, and Nairobi, Kenya, expressing solidarity with Gaza amid dire humanitarian conditions. In Senegal’s capital, hundreds of protesters—including lawmakers, civil society groups, and rights activists—marched peacefully, chanting slogans such as
“No to genocide” and “Boycott Israel.” Sinna Gaye
a protester in Dakar, told Reuters,
“The fact that, in the eyes of the international community, Israel is doing what it is doing, pillaging lands, literally committing genocide, what legitimacy will we have when others, for example, terrorists or other countries, allow themselves to do the same thing?”
The demonstrators urged
world leaders to act, with calls for international organisations to be granted
access to the Palestinian territories and for renewed negotiations to deliver a
two-state solution, originally upheld by the United Nations’ 1945 resolution.
In Nairobi, Kenya, similarly, hundreds of protesters including bikers and motorists, waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free, free Palestine.” One protester passionately said,
“The genocide in Palestine has to stop. Children are dying, women are suffering. They are bombing hospitals and residential areas.”
These protests are part of a larger global wave of
condemnation over Israel's military campaign in Gaza [TRT Global: Afrika].
Calls for Diplomatic Action and Humanitarian Relief
In Senegal, the protesters went further to urge their government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel.
“We expect at the national level that the Senegalese government breaks diplomatic relations with Israel,” one demonstrator stated.
There was also a demand for a unified international
front, particularly from Arab countries, to oppose Israel’s actions so
Palestinians can reclaim their land and the violence can end. Moreover, there
were calls for Western countries to uphold UN charters and restore Palestinians'rights.
Both Senegalese and Kenyan protests come against a backdrop
of an escalating humanitarian crisis. Aid organisations and UN bodies have
repeatedly warned that ongoing Israeli restrictions on food, medical supplies,
and other essentials into Gaza have caused widespread starvation and famine.
Most notably, the UN recently declared that over half a million people, mostly
children, in Gaza are trapped in famine conditions caused by the conflict [TRT
Global: Afrika].
Casualty Figures Highlight the Human Cost
Since October 2023, the Palestinian Health Ministry reports
the death toll in Gaza stands at at least 62,686 Palestinians, marking a
devastating human loss. Additionally, more than 2,000 Palestinians have been
killed, and 13,500 wounded while seeking aid at distribution points or along
convoy routes managed by the United Nations and other humanitarian
organisations, highlighting the extreme dangers facing civilians even amid
humanitarian efforts [TRT Global: Afrika].
The Global Context of Solidarity
The protests in Kenya and Senegal reflect part of a broad
international movement against Israel's war on Gaza. Demonstrations have
occurred on every continent, with significant rallies in cities such as Sydney,
Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, and Cape Town. Protesters worldwide have called for
sanctions, an arms embargo on Israel, and definitive government action to halt
what many describe as genocide.
In Australia, demonstrations involving over 300,000
participants took place, demanding sanctions and an end to the arms trade with
Israel. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined thousands in Kuala
Lumpur, pledging to launch humanitarian missions to Gaza. South Africa saw
large marches demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and closure of
the Israeli embassy. These global protests illuminate the widespread
international outrage and call for urgent intervention [Tasnim News Agency].
UN and International Response
The United Nations and various international bodies have
repeatedly pushed for ceasefires and humanitarian access in Gaza. The
widespread support from African nations, which constitute an influential voting
bloc in the UN, backs resolutions calling for humanitarian truces and the
unimpeded delivery of aid to Gaza. African public opinion has grown
increasingly opposed to normalisation with Israel due to its actions in Gaza,
fueling protests and political pressure across the continent [TNI report].