(Bloomberg) — Senegal will use part of the proceeds of a Eurobond sale for a new fund created in response to protests that engulfed the West African nation earlier this year.

The fund of 450 billion CFA francs ($836 million) aims to address youth unemployment by supporting small- and micro-enterprises, and creating private-sector jobs, said Minister Amadou Sarr, who’s in charge of a new portfolio to boost entrepreneurship.

The arrest for alleged rape of a popular opposition leader in Senegal triggered days of protests in March, undermining the nation’s reputation as a bastion of stability in West Africa. At least eight people died in the violence, with stores looted and torched. President Macky Sall also faced calls to resign.

Ousmane Sonko, who came third in the 2019 presidential vote, was accused of rape by a beauty salon employee and summoned to court after his parliamentary immunity was revoked. He denied any wrongdoing, saying it was politically motivated.

Public anger was also stoked by the economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus as well as a curfew and other restrictions initially put in place to curb its spread.

Senegal is also planning a so-called “youth bond” of $500 million that would be used exclusively to fund the development of its youth population, Sarr said.

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