Senegal authorities arrest opposition frontrunner, ban his party and cut internet

Supporters say string of charges are intended to prevent Ousmane Sonko and his Pastef party challenging President Macky Sall

Senegal's government has dissolved a major opposition party within hours of the party's popular president and opposition leader saying a judge had ordered his arrest.

Ousmane Sonko, a charismatic opposition figure widely supported by Senegal's youth, was in prison on Monday as he awaited trial on new criminal charges, said his party's communications director, El Malick Ndiaye.