Senegal holds first military parade in four years amid political tensions

Senegal's Army armoured vehicles are driven during a military parade marking Senegal's Independence Day in Dakar, Senegal April 4, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

DAKAR (Reuters) - Thousands of Senegalese took to the streets to celebrate the country's Independence Day on Tuesday, in a show of patriotism just a week after political tensions led to violent clashes between security forces and opposition supporters.

People lined the streets of the capital Dakar to watch the first military parade to be held in the city in four years following a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.