Senegal’s opposition is set to continue their demonstrations as court proceedings resume for opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Earlier this year, Sonko’s libel lawsuit was being held at the courthouse in Dakar when police pushed back his supporters.
Attorney General Ibrahima Bakhoum claimed that the group had manufactured explosives and posed a risk to the nation’s security. This week, as the court hearing for Sonko intensifies, there is a growing sense of unease as he may not be able to participate in the 2024 presidential race if found guilty of defamation.
Sonko and his allies believe that the government is manipulating the judicial system to prevent him from running in the upcoming election. Despite the government’s ban, the opposition has announced that they plan to continue their protests on Wednesday and Thursday.
At a press conference, Bakhoum spoke about a group that sought to prevent Sonko’s trial from continuing, stating their intention to sabotage the reputation of individuals in the judicial system, government, religious entities, and the media. Bakhoum revealed that the group had created explosive materials and Molotov cocktails, and had acquired armaments from a market in Guinea. Four individuals have been taken into custody due to suspicious behavior and another 19 are being sought out by authorities.
The trial against Sonko has caused tensions in Senegal, a region usually tranquil in comparison to the rest of West Africa. The opposition is urging for the quick release of all those detained for their political views and is asking for support for Sonko.
President Macky Sall has demanded that the government implement measures to guarantee public safety following the demonstrations concerning the trial, which resulted in one fatality. Sall has refuted Sonko’s allegations that the judiciary is being manipulated to prevent him from participating in the election, charging him with stoking public fury as a way to evade legal consequences.
On Monday, a lawyer reported that the law had charged an intimate associate and representative of Sonko for propagating false information. El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, the spokesperson for Sonko’s party, was charged and fitted with an electronic monitoring device due to a post on Facebook from March 16 concerning the circumstances of Sonko’s court appearance in Dakar on that day, which included a large police escort.
The situation remains tense as the trial continues, and the outcome is yet to be seen. The opposition continues to hold rallies and demonstrations despite the government’s ban. The ongoing protests have led to clashes between the police and demonstrators, resulting in injuries and arrests. The government has been accused of using excessive force against peaceful protesters.
The situation in Senegal has garnered international attention, with the United States and other Western countries expressing concern over the government’s crackdown on the opposition and the media. Human rights organizations have accused the government of violating the rights of its citizens and suppressing dissent.
Senegal has long been considered a model of democracy in West Africa, with peaceful transfers of power and relatively stable political institutions. However, recent events have brought the country’s political stability into question.
The government’s heavy-handed response to protests and the opposition’s allegations of judicial manipulation have raised concerns about the future of democracy in Senegal.
As the trial against Sonko continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The opposition has vowed to continue protesting, despite government bans, and tensions are likely to remain high in the lead-up to the presidential election in 2024.
In the meantime, the international community is closely watching the situation in Senegal, calling on the government to respect the rights of its citizens and allow for peaceful protests and freedom of expression. The government’s response to these calls will be critical in determining the country’s future as a stable democracy in West Africa.
Image Credit: Ousmane Sonko/Twitter
