IN the wake of the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to a two-year prison term on charges of corrupting the youth, Senegal has been gripped by widespread violence and chaos. The clashes have resulted in at least nine deaths and significant damage to public and private properties, according to statements made by the country’s Interior Minister, Antoine Felix Diome, during a press conference held in Dakar on Friday.
The protests erupted shortly after Sonko, president of the PASTEF-Patriots party, was convicted and sentenced, prompting law enforcement authorities to employ tear gas to disperse the increasingly violent demonstrations that engulfed the capital city, Dakar, as well as various other towns. The government, in an attempt to regain control and maintain law and order, took the decision to temporarily suspend social media networks.
Minister Diome expressed his regret at the escalating violence, saying, ‘We have noted with regret the violence that has resulted in the destruction of public and private property and, unfortunately, nine deaths.’ However, he refrained from providing further details about the victims or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall revealed to local media that Sonko may face imminent arrest. The opposition leader had been charged with rape and making death threats against Adji Sarr, an employee of a beauty salon in Dakar, during the year 2021. Sonko vehemently denied the allegations and boycotted his trial on two occasions, on May 16 and May 23. Despite his absence, Dakar High Court Judge Issa Ndiaye proceeded with the trial.
Yesterday, the court acquitted Sonko of the rape charges but handed down a two-year prison sentence for corrupting the youth, effectively barring him from participating in the upcoming presidential elections next year. In the 2019 elections, Sonko secured the third position, trailing behind the incumbent President Macky Sall. Throughout the trial, Sonko maintained that the case against him was politically motivated, designed to hinder his presidential aspirations for 2024.
In light of the volatile situation, Interior Minister Diome announced during the press conference that the government had decided to temporarily suspend access to certain digital applications and social networks known to incite violence and hatred, potentially exacerbating the already tense environment. He appealed for calm and assured the nation that the necessary measures had been taken to ensure the safety of individuals and protect public and private property.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Sonko has found himself embroiled in legal controversy. In March, he received a six-month suspended prison sentence for defamation and insults directed at Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang. Additionally, in 2021, the arrest of Sonko on allegations of rape sparked violent protests across Senegal. The country continues to grapple with the ongoing unrest and political tensions caused by these events.
