IN a significant development, a lawyer representing Senegal’s embattled opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, lodged a criminal complaint in a French court on Thursday, while also urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the deadly crackdown on protesters by the Senegalese government. The 168-page document alleges ‘crimes against humanity’ and implicates President Macky Sall and others. The protests, sparked by what critics believe were politically motivated charges against Sonko, resulted in fatalities.
During a press conference in Paris, Sonko’s lawyer, Juan Branco, unveiled the court filing, which outlines 50 deaths since March 2021. The complaint identifies President Sall, the interior minister, the head of police, and over 100 other Senegalese and French officials as complicit in ‘politically motivated violence against unarmed demonstrators, activists, journalists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens.’
Sonko’s lawyer, in an interview with The Associated Press (AP), stated, ‘This fits all the criteria of the ICC of crimes against humanity in terms of gravity, in terms of jurisdiction.’ Branco, who previously represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and members of the Gilets Jaunes movement in France, presented over 600 pieces of evidence as part of the complaint.
The Senegalese government has not yet responded to Thursday’s court filing, but authorities have previously denied accusations of excessive use of force by the police.
Branco cited several reasons for filing the complaint in France, including the fact that some individuals affected by the government’s response held dual citizenship of France and Senegal. The move also aims to bypass what they perceive as a corrupt justice system in Senegal. Branco said, ‘These are the jurisdictions that the people we’re targeting fear.’
Sonko’s legal team expressed hope that the ICC prosecutor will give serious consideration to the case based on the compelling evidence provided. ‘We really expect him to open immediately a preliminary examination on the case of Senegal,’ Branco stressed. ‘And we think he has sufficient evidence at this stage to actually go to the pretrial chamber and ask to open an investigation.’
Ousmane Sonko, who poses a significant political threat to Senegal’s ruling party in the upcoming presidential election, now faces potential disqualification after being sentenced to two years in prison earlier this month for corruption charges. In another case against him, Sonko was acquitted of allegations of rape and death threats.
Authorities have stated that Sonko can request a retrial once he is imprisoned, although an arrest warrant has not yet been issued, leaving uncertainty regarding when he may be taken into custody. Sonko’s supporters contend that his legal troubles are part of a government attempt to undermine his candidacy, resulting in nationwide demonstrations.
In addition to his legal battles, Sonko has called on President Sall to publicly declare that he will not seek a third term in office. However, Sall, who is currently in Paris for a climate finance conference and meetings with European officials, has not yet made a definitive statement, raising concerns of a potential violation of the constitution if he pursues another term.
