TIG Post

Tag: Sonko

  • Judge in Senegal issues order to reinstate Sonko on voter list

    Judge in Senegal issues order to reinstate Sonko on voter list

    After a court meeting on Thursday, a judge decided that the imprisoned Senegalese leader, Ousmane Sonko, should be put back on the list of people eligible to vote.
    He was accused of behaving badly towards someone under 21, but he said it wasn’t true and that the accusation was made for political reasons.

    Mr Sonko’s lawyers stated that the judge’s decision on Thursday allowed him to participate in the upcoming presidential elections in February. But, it has not been confirmed.

    In a statement released on Friday, lawyers for the government said they will challenge the decision.

    The court hearing happened in Ziguinchor, a city in the south where Mr Sonko is both on the voters’ list and serves as the mayor.

    The punishment he received for “influencing young people in a wrong way” caused angry demonstrations in a very peaceful country in Africa. Officials reported that at least 16 people lost their lives and hundreds of others were injured.

    In the end of July, the leader of the opposing group was put in jail for new accusations: urging for a rebellion, being involved in a harmful plan with a group of terrorists, and putting the safety of the country at risk.

    Mr Sonko, who used to work for the government, became well-known during the presidential election in 2019. He finished in third place.

  • Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko hospitalised

    Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko hospitalised

    The imprisoned opposition leader of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has been transported to a hospital for medical care.

    Prior to this, Sonko embarked on a hunger strike within his prison confines as a form of protest against the charges laid against him.

    His admission to a health facility has been confirmed by his political party and local sources. The statement from his political party also held the authorities accountable for his deteriorating condition.

    Sonko, once at the helm of the dissolved Pastef party, was apprehended last week and faced multiple charges, including incitement to rebellion and plotting against the state.

  • Rallies for Sonko’s inauguration in Senegal banned

    Rallies for Sonko’s inauguration in Senegal banned

    An official statement issued on Thursday by Senegalese authorities reveals that the rallies planned by Ousmane Sonko’s party for Saturday and Sunday have been prohibited.

    The rally scheduled for July 15 was intended to serve as the official nomination of Mr. Sonko as the candidate for his party, Pastef, in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. However, due to a recent conviction, the opponent is no longer eligible to run.

    “There are indications that these gatherings constitute real risks of disturbing public order” , justified the governor of Dakar, Al Hassan Sall.

    “Calls through social networks invite supporters of this political formation (Pastef) to already invest in the major markets and the main axes and places of gatherings,” said the press release.

    According to the governor, there were incidents of individuals attacking public and private property, businesses, and other facilities during a call for a demonstration by Mr. Sonko in early June.

    Supporters of Mr. Sonko have stated that their candidate’s inauguration will take place on Saturday at the Amadou Barry stadium in Guédiawaye, located in the suburbs of Dakar, rather than on a public road.

    Mr. Sonko, President Macky Sall’s strongest opponent, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on Saturday, was sentenced to two years in prison in a corruption case a month ago. He claims to have been confined to his home in Dakar since May 28, alleging that he was “kidnapped” by security forces.

    The sentencing resulted in the most severe unrest in Senegal in years, occurring in early June, which led to 16 deaths according to the authorities, and approximately thirty deaths according to the opposition.

    The leader of the opposition party, Pastef, warned of “indescribable chaos” if he is prevented from running as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

    President Macky Sall, who was elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2019, announced at the beginning of July that he would not seek a third term.

  • Clashes over Sonko’s sentencing left more than 350 injured in Senegal – Red Cross

    Clashes over Sonko’s sentencing left more than 350 injured in Senegal – Red Cross

    The Red Cross in Senegal has revealed that approximately 360 individuals have been injured in the violence that erupted on Thursday following the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in prison.

    The clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the capital, Dakar, and Mr. Sonko’s hometown of Zinguinchor have tragically claimed the lives of at least 16 people.

    Supporters of Mr. Sonko firmly believe that his conviction on charges of “corrupting” a young woman is politically motivated.

    They have strongly condemned what they perceive as the “murderous repression” carried out by the security forces.

    As of Sunday, the situation appeared to have calmed down. However, the government has implemented restrictions on mobile internet access to prevent the dissemination of what it describes as “subversive messages.”

  • 9 killed in clashes after Senegal’s Sonko jailed 2 years

    9 killed in clashes after Senegal’s Sonko jailed 2 years

    Violent clashes between riot police and protesters in Senegal have resulted in the death of at least nine individuals.

    The unrest erupted after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison.

    Interior Minister Antoine Diome confirmed the casualties during a late-night press conference following a day of widespread violence across the country. In response to the situation, the government has blocked access to social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

    The city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko serves as the mayor, experienced some of the most intense clashes.

    Sonko’s two-year jail sentence, delivered in his absence, could potentially bar him from participating in next year’s presidential election.

    While he was cleared of rape charges, he was found guilty of immoral behavior toward an individual below the age of 21. These allegations originated from a massage therapist, which Sonko vehemently denied.

    The Senegalese government has pledged to take necessary measures to safeguard both people and property in the aftermath of the deadly unrest.

  • Clashes ahead of Sonko’s trial over death of police officer in Senegal

    Clashes ahead of Sonko’s trial over death of police officer in Senegal

    Authorities said that a police officer died during riots in the southern town of Ziguinchor between Senegalese security personnel and followers of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

    The clashes occurred on Monday near Mr Sonko’s home, where he has been staying while vowing to defy any summons to appear in court for a rape trial.

    Supporters have surrounded his home since last week, fearing police would move to arrest him and bring him to court.

    A statement from the Senegalese interior ministry said the police officer was “accidentally hit by a vehicle”, during the Monday violence.

    Reports say security has been tightened in the capital Dakar ahead of the resumption of Mr Sonko’s rape trial on Tuesday. He was charged based on a woman’s accusations that he assaulted her when she worked at a massage salon two years ago.

    Mr Sonko and his allies deny the charges and say they are a ploy to bar him from contesting the 2024 presidential election.

    He was handed a six-month suspended sentence on 8 May for defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang in a review of the initial two-month term.