Dakar bans a rally in support of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on the eve of a trial against him

March 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The prefect of Dakar, Mor Talla Tine, has decided to prohibit this Wednesday a demonstration called by Senegalese Patriots for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) in support of the opposition leader and mayor of the Senegalese city of Ziguinchor, Ousmane Sonko.

The local authorities have indicated that they have taken this measure due to “real threats of disturbance of public order”, as well as because the chosen itinerary coincides with works on public roads, as reported by the Senegalese state news agency, APS.

Despite the ban, the mayor of Dakar, Guy Marius Sagna, and other deputies from the capital have tried to visit Sonko at his home, where security forces have set up barricades to prevent his supporters from passing through.

Marius Sagna, in his attempt to access the area, was injured in the leg when he was on his way along with journalists and deputies. Following this, the PASTEF party has invited the Senegalese population, in a statement published on its Facebook profile, to demonstrate with the aim of “eliminating the illegal confinement” of Sonko.

This comes on the eve of a landmark trial against the opposition leader for alleged defamation following a lawsuit filed by Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang. The hearing will decide whether Sonko can finally be one of the opposition candidates in the presidential elections scheduled for 2023.