Political unrest hurts Senegal's economy

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STORY: Senegal is recovering from the worst unrest the country has seen in decades.

The jailing of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko led to three days of protests which saw infrastructure damaged and public transport torched.

The partly state-funded bus company Dem Dikk was a common target during protests.

More than 70 of its buses were torched and around 20 smashed with rocks.

Ousmane Sylla is Chief Executive of Dem Dikk, and said the riots cost the company a lot of money.

"In the protests of the past week, we have seen an upsurge of major significance in losses. We estimate the buses that were stoned, looted and burned amount to the equivalent of more than $5.75 million in losses for Dakar Dem Dikk."

Sylla said it would take around 15 consecutive days of calm for the company to bounce back fully.

Stalled operations can cost Dem Dikk up to $80,000 in losses per day, and make it difficult for thousands of commuters to get to work.

Ndiaya Cisse buys goods in Senegal's capital Dakar.

"If these buses are destroyed, we will feel it. This is a means of transport that is at our doorstep, and allows us to move around without difficulty. It is harder for us, the workers. When you burn what belongs to everyone, it's not the state that will feel it, but your fellow citizens."

The government estimates the unrest could slow economic output by an equivalent of around $33 million per day.

More than a dozen were killed and hundreds injured when security forces clashed with protestors.

Sonko's supporters saw his conviction as a political attempt to stop him running for president next year.

The government denies this.

Sonko was first detained for alleged rape two years, which led to the start of an ongoing legal battle.