Authorities took drastic measures Thursday, forcibly eradicating Senegalese opposition chief Ousmane Sonko from his automotive and escorting him to a court docket look, barring his supporters from accompanying him and sparking unrest all through the capital.
Police fired tear fuel in a number of components of Dakar to disperse protesters on the third day of demonstrations in assist of Sonko, who completed third within the final presidential election and is seen as a number one contender in subsequent 12 months’s vote.
Some protesters set fireplace to buses belonging to Senegal’s nationwide public transport firm and focused French retailers. Unrest additionally was reported within the metropolis of Thies, 68 kilometers (42 miles) east of the capital, in addition to within the southern cities of Ziguinchor and Bignona and in Saint-Louis within the nation’s north.
Sonko maintains his authorized troubles are a part of an effort by President Macky Sall’s authorities to derail his candidacy within the 2024 election. The opposition determine has urged Sall to say publicly that he is not going to search a 3rd time period in workplace.
“The face of Senegal is the dictatorship of Macky with police repression,” Sonko advised journalists Thursday afternoon.
Earlier within the day, a convoy of opposition supporters spent greater than an hour making its approach between Sonko’s residence and the courthouse, the place he was to look in reference to a civil lawsuit in opposition to him by Senegal’s tourism minister for alleged defamation.
Once in court docket, Sonko requested to see a physician saying police had mishandled him once they compelled him out of his automotive. Judge Pape Mouhamed Diop postponed the listening to till March 30.
In a separate matter, Sonko can also be going through rape fees after a feminine therapeutic massage salon worker got here ahead and accused him of assault. If convicted, he faces as much as 10 years in jail and can be barred from operating for president. No date is about for this trial.
Thursday marks the second time in a month that Senegalese authorities have forcibly eliminated Sonko from his automobile, saying his actions induced disruption. In mid-February, police smashed the window of his automotive so they may open the door and power him out.
In 2021, days of lethal protests erupted after Sonko was arrested for disturbing public order whereas on his method to the courthouse for a scheduled look within the rape case. At least 13 individuals died in the course of the worst violence to rock Senegal in years.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
