SENEGALESE opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s supporters held a peaceful protest over the weekend, despite a ban by authorities. Sonko, who is currently under house arrest, appeared outside his home on Saturday evening, symbolically banging pots for several minutes, dressed in red as a sign of anger.
Last week, the 49-year-old opposition politician was unanimously voted as the candidate for the PASTEF-Patriots’ party in the presidential elections scheduled for February 25, 2024. Despite facing legal battles and being confined to his home in Dakar since May 28, Sonko publicly confirmed his intention to run in the elections.
The governor of Dakar had banned the PASTEF party’s nomination rally, citing the risk of disturbing public order. Sonko assured his supporters that another date would be chosen. In a defiant move, he filmed himself and broadcasted a video on his Facebook account, urging President Macky Sall to peacefully step down from office.
Sonko’s supporters joined the protest in various districts of Dakar and major towns across the country, including Ziguinchor in the south and Mbacke in the centre. One supporter, Malick Diedhiou, participated to ‘send a message of peace’ and to highlight that the actions taken against Sonko by the state are ‘illegal.’
Sonko alleges that President Macky Sall is attempting to suppress the PASTEF party and prevent him from being a presidential candidate. He has warned of potential chaos if he is prevented from running for the top job. However, Sonko’s eligibility is still under question due to his criminal convictions and prison sentences, including a two-year term for charges of sexual abuse.
In the midst of these developments, Senegalese parliamentarians have convened to vote on several bills concerning the upcoming presidential election. President Sall, who has pledged not to run for a third term, initiated a national dialogue with a portion of the opposition. The parliament is expected to vote on constitutional changes and lift the ineligibility of other prominent opponents and potential presidential candidates, such as Karim Wade and former mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall. These actions are aimed at ensuring a more peaceful electoral process, as desired by the opposition.
(with AFP)
