The Senegalese political coalition Yewwi Askan Wi (Liberate the people) demanded, Thursday, June 1, the resignation of President Macky Sall who, according to it, would be behind the sentencing of opponent Ousmane Sonko to two years in prison for « corruption of the youth ».
In a press release, the platform “accuses President Macky Sall of high treason and demands his immediate resignation”. At the same time, it calls on Senegalese to “maintain mobilization and resist intensely and in accordance with the Constitution throughout the country and the diaspora to safeguard the rights and freedoms of our fellow citizens, national unity and Senegalese democracy”.
The opponent Ousmane Sonko, president of the Pastef party which is part of the Yewwi Askan Wi Coalition, was sentenced by a criminal chamber in Dakar. At this announcement, violent demonstrations spontaneously broke out in the capital Dakar, in Kaolack and in Ziguinchor. According to the government, nine people have lost their lives.
If Ousmane was finally acquitted of the alleged acts of rape and death threats against an employee of a beauty salon where he requested the massage service, between 2020 and 2021, his conviction for « corruption of youth » is a blow to his presidential candidacy in February 2024.
The NGO Amnesty International called on Friday, through the voice of its Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Samira Daoud, to immediately put an end to « arbitrary arrests ».
She also called on « the Senegalese authorities to unconditionally release Aliou Sané, coordinator of Y’en a Marre detained since May 30, as well as two members of FRAPP, Bentaleb Sow, detained since May 31 and Moustapha Diop, arrested while ‘he was going to inquire about the news of the people placed in detention at the Foire gendarmerie’.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1199 of 02/06/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
