With a raucous demonstration to the rhythm of casseroles, the Senegalese opponent, Ousmane Sonko, calls on the current government of Macky Sall for “free, transparent and inclusive elections, with all political parties that meet the legal conditions to participate”. Sonko has been barred from participating after being accused of “sexual corruption”.
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Ousmane Sonko, the main Senegalese opposition leader, was sentenced in June 2023 to two years in prison for “sexual corruption of a young woman”, which prevents him from participating in the Senegalese presidential race, scheduled for February 2024.
This Saturday he was to be launched as a candidate for his party “African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity” (Pastef), but the decision of this country’s justice has forced him to stop said act to “preserve social peace,” Sonko said in a message on social media.
Instead, the politician called for a pot concert to show President Macky Sall that Senegal wants “free, transparent and inclusive elections, with all political parties that meet the legal conditions to participate,” Charlotte Idrac reported for RFI. , correspondent in Dakar.
The government prohibited Sonko’s inauguration act as it considers such a meeting as an act that could lead to “public order disturbances” on the outskirts of the capital, where it would take place. Despite the legal impediments, the opponent made his candidacy official on Thursday, July 13, in a meeting with Pastef delegates, and warned of the emergence of an “indescribable case” throughout the country if he was not allowed to participate in this contest. electoral.
Since he was sentenced to house arrest, Senegal has registered violent demonstrations that have not been seen for many years, in which 16 people have died, according to the authorities, and more than thirty, according to the opposition.
with AFP
