Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been barred from leaving the country to attend a conference scheduled for this week.

He had been invited by economist Kako Nubukpo to take part in a convention on the future West African currency which will be held on 26 to 28 May in the Togolese capital, Lome.

A court ruling by judge Abdoulaye Assane Thioune denied Mr Sonko permission to leave the country.

Mr Sonko has an ongoing rape case and was released on condition that he stays within the country's borders.

His arrest in March sparked protests across the country with his party saying the rape allegations were political.

Mr Sonko is a fierce critic of President Macky Sall.