The political unrest that shook Senegal in June 2023 severely affected the local economy as well as certain foreign players, such as Auchan Senegal. The violent demonstrations of June 1, 2 and 3, 2023 would have resulted in losses estimated at 15 billion CFA francs for the brand, according to the National Union of Commerce Workers (Synatracom), cited by Wal Fadjri (2023). Nineteen Auchan stores were looted, illustrating the seriousness of the material damage caused by these events.
Beyond the financial losses, the social toll is heavy. The breakages led to the technical unemployment of 2,300 direct Auchan employees, as indicated in 2023 by Doudou Keïta, general secretary of Synatracom. To these figures are added more than 500 indirect jobs linked to the company’s suppliers. These workers, now deprived of income, suffer the direct consequences of these acts of vandalism.
Mr. Keïta calls on the Senegalese authorities to anticipate and strengthen the security of large stores, often targeted during protest movements.
A government effort to compensate victims
Faced with this situation, the Senegalese government announced on December 27, 2024 the allocation of an envelope of 5 billion CFA francs to compensate the victims of political violence occurring between 2021 and 2024. This fund aims to support the seriously injured, the ex-prisoners and other people affected by these disorders.
According to an official press release, 112 urgent cases have already been taken care of thanks to a solidarity fund based on supporting documents. However, the distribution of compensation for other victims remains unclear, as does the number and exact profile of beneficiaries.
The integration of losses suffered by companies like Auchan into this compensation system remains uncertain. The government did not say whether property destroyed during the unrest would be included in the reimbursements.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced the submission of a project to repeal the amnesty law relating to political violence between 2021 and 2024, passed under former President Macky Sall. This decision could redefine the management of the legal and economic consequences of these events.
