The Senegalese opponent Ousmane Sonko received a six-month suspended prison sentence, on appeal, for defamation and public insult, in the case which opposes him to a member of the government, in particular the Minister of Tourism. He will also have to pay 200 million CFA francs (300,000 euros) for damages.
The mayor of Ziguinchor was not present during the verdict. He decided to boycott the session by planning, at the same time, a session of the municipal council of his city. His lawyers were also conspicuous by their absence.
This judgment, if upheld, risks having the opponent removed from the electoral lists, when he had already announced his candidacy for the next presidential election in February 2024. He has six days to appeal in cassation.
Unsurprisingly, Sonko’s conviction drew criticism from within the opposition. Several leaders see in this judgment a means, for the power, to dismiss the opponent of his ambition to embark on the race for the supreme magistracy. The case of Déthié Fall, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi, who mentioned “attempts by President Macky Sall to dismiss, again, a presidential candidate”.
Sonko is still expected on May 16 in court, this time in the case concerning the “alleged rape” of an employee of a beauty salon where he was going to have a massage.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1164 of 09/05/2023
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
