2023-12-29 22:55:59
The Senegalese authorities have banned a meeting for the inauguration of imprisoned opponent Ousmane Sonko in the 2024 presidential election, scheduled for Saturday in Dakar, Agence France-Presse (AFP) learned on Friday December 29. The meeting is prohibited for “threats of disturbances to public order, obstruction of the free movement of people and goods and risk of infiltration by malicious people”specifies a decree sent to AFP and signed by the prefect of Dakar, Chérif Mouhamadou Blondon Ndiaye, who confirmed the authenticity of the document.
“This is just one more provocation but we invite comrades and sympathizers to remain attentive to us”reacted on Facebook The Malick Ndiaye, a member of Mr. Sonko’s entourage. At the beginning of the week, the opponent submitted his candidacy to the Constitutional Council despite the administration’s refusal to provide him with all the necessary documents. The deadline ran until December 26 for collecting sponsorships and submitting applications.
Mr. Sonko is the central figure in a standoff lasting more than two years with the State which gave rise to several episodes of deadly unrest. His camp has also, according to one of its officials, submitted the candidacy of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, also in prison. Mr. Faye could be another option for Mr. Sonko’s party, Pastef (party of Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity) – whose authorities announced the dissolution at the end of July – for the presidential election on 25 February 2024.
Also read the interview: Senegal: “Ensure that the election will be inclusive and transparent, including with Ousmane Sonko”
In mid-December, a judge relaunched Mr. Sonko’s candidacy
After the administration’s refusal to deliver the necessary documents to Mr. Sonko, his lawyers announced their intention to submit his candidacy to the Constitutional Council, saying “trust justice” faced with a State seeking, according to them, to“discard” of the ballot. Found guilty on June 1 of debauchery of a minor and sentenced to two years in prison, Mr. Sonko did not appear at the trial and was sentenced in absentia.
The 49-year-old opponent, imprisoned since the end of July on other charges, including calling for insurrection, criminal conspiracy in connection with a terrorist enterprise and endangering state security, denounces these cases and the others in which he was implicated as plots aimed at removing him from the presidential election.
In mid-December, a judge relaunched his candidacy by ordering his re-registration on the electoral lists, confirming a decision rendered in October by the Ziguinchor court (South) which had been overturned by the Supreme Court. The state filed an appeal against the decision handed down in mid-December. More than 90 applications have been submitted to the Constitutional Council which must announce the list of candidates selected for the presidential election on January 20.
Read also: In Senegal, more than 90 presidential contenders including Ousmane Sonko
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