Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s supporters believe the president of Senegal is trying to get rid of a potential rival by bringing this case.
According to a judge conducting the investigation, Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko will go on trial in 2021 on charges of rape and threatening to kill a worker at a beauty parlour.
According to a letter from the judge dated January 17 and obtained by the Reuters news agency on Wednesday, the case has been referred to Senegal’s criminal chamber for trial.
Sonko’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the 48-year-old politician has previously denied all the charges.
A trial could jeopardise his intention to compete in the 2024 presidential election. Sonko, who came third in the 2019 election, has announced he will run.
It could also stoke political tensions in Senegal. Clashes broke out in the country in March 2021 when Sonko was initially summoned by the investigating judge and arrested.
Sonko is accused of sexually assaulting a woman who worked in a massage parlour and later threatening her. He and his backers say the trial is politically motivated to eliminate him from the presidential race.
He enjoys widespread support among Senegalese youth, many of who are frustrated with the government as unemployment and economic hardship have remained high, leading to sporadic and sometimes violent protests.
Cries of “Macky Sall is a dictator” rang out in Dakar during one protest in July 2022.
El Hadj Diouf, lawyer for the plaintiff, said his client was delighted by the judge’s decision.
“It does not come as a surprise. We have nothing to hide,” he told Reuters by telephone.