Politicians jailed after assaulting pregnant colleague in Senegalese parliament brawl

Two Senegalese politicians have been sentenced to six months in jail after assaulting a pregnant colleague during a parliamentary brawl.

In chaotic televised scenes that shocked the nation, Massata Samb slapped Amy Ndiaye Gniby in the face during a budget debate in the National Assembly after she scoffed at his remarks in criticism of her.

Ms Gniby responded by throwing a chair at Samb and was then pushed to the ground by other lawmakers and kicked in the abdomen by Amadou Niang.

The men, from the opposition PUR party, were also ordered to pay a total of five million CFA francs (£6,700) in compensation to Ms Gniby, of the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition.

The brawl worsened political tensions in Senegal that have risen since the ruling party lost its comfortable majority in a
July election.

The loss was widely seen as a rebuke of President Macky Sall amid uncertainty over whether he will seek a third term in 2024, a move the opposition says would be in breach of term limits and of an earlier promise.

Mr Sall, 60, has refused to state clearly whether he plans to run again.

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