Former Soldier Sets Himself on Fire in Front of Senegal Presidency

A former soldier set himself on fire in front of the presidency in Senegal's capital on Friday and was taken to hospital in serious condition, police and witnesses told Agence France Presse.

"I saw a man who had a bottle in his hand and a lighter. He set himself on fire after pouring the contents of the bottle over his body and was evacuated to the hospital," said a witness, adding the man had been dressed in khaki-colored clothing.

A small group gathered in front of the presidency in downtown Dakar while traffic was briefly interrupted after the incident, and burn marks were visible along the pavement.

"The flames spread rapidly over his body. The firemen then came to evacuate him" to the Principal Hospital, the biggest in the capital, just meters from the presidency, according to another witness.

It was not known what led to the act, or the exact condition of the victim. Local media reported his name as Oumar Bocoum.

A police source confirmed that the incident had taken place but provided no further details.

The president of the National Association of Disabled Soldiers, Issa Gueye, said the organization had called for a march Friday by soldiers seeking an increase in their pensions, however it had been called off after mediation.

"He is a former soldier but he is not a member of our organization," said Gueye.

A spokesman for the same organization said the former soldiers had threatened to set themselves on fire if their demands were not met.

It is the second time a Senegalese has set himself alight in front of Senegal's presidency. In 2008 a man died after committing self-immolation over money allegedly owed to him by the ruling party.