Senegal opposition leader held in custody after clashes

Senegal opposition leader held in custody after clashes

Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was ordered held in custody at a court hearing on Friday, two days after his arrest sparked the country's worst violence in years.

Burned-out cars littered some of Dakar's streets and key buildings were blanketed in security before his hearing, following unrest in a country long deemed West Africa's beacon of stability.

Hefty police deployments were in place around the law courts, presidential palace and National Assembly in the heart of the Senegalese capital.

"Sonko has been returned to custody over the matter of disturbing public order," attorney Etienne Ndione told reporters.

Supporters of Sonko, a former presidential candidate who is seen as a key challenger to President Macky Sall, had called for fresh protests to coincide with a hearing.

The United Nations' special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, appealed for calm, urging authorities "to take the necessary measures to ease tensions" and guarantee the constitutional right to peaceful protest.

Clashes broke out on Wednesday between Sonko's supporters and police as he made his way to court to face rape accusations against him -- allegations that he denies.

Sonko was then arrested on charges of disturbing public order, a development that sparked