Protests in Senegal, Explained
Senegal got into a political stalemate following the arrest of Senegalese opposition figure, Ousmane Sonko. Mister Sonko was summoned following an alleged rape case filled by an employee at a salon in Dakar where, Sonko said, he went to receive back massages. Mister Sonko is also a Member of Parliament, and the main challenger of Senegalese president Macky Sall.
Opposition figure Ousmane Sonko rejected all allegations, claiming his innocence. The Section of Researches of Colobane was in charge of the investigation, but was later discharged of the case by the public prosecutor. That move from the public prosecutor bureau was reportedly triggered following a new trend of the investigation, which was pointing out to an outcome of “political conspiracy”.
As a reminder, the bureau of the public prosecutor receives orders from the government of Senegalese president Macky Sall, thus it is not free of influence from the government.
Macky Sall
After refusing to respond to any summons from the judiciary, mister Sonko finally decided to voluntarily respond to the summons of the investigating judge on March 3. On his way to respond to a court summons in the rape case, the leader of the opposition was arrested on charges of “disturbing public order”.
The move from the government sparked violent protests in Dakar to demand for the release of the opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. According to reports, the government was seeking more serious charges against Sonko as the rape case was becoming more and more apparent as a “political conspiracy”. In four days of protests, at least 11 people were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, a situation which is the country’s worst political violence in years of stability.
Mister Sonko is the hope for the youth as he promises if elected, to fight against corruption, injustice and renegotiate contracts with multinationals to Senegal’s advantage. As a Member of Paliament, he’s been denouncing series of violations by the government of Macky Sall, urging the State to consider more development policies for the youth.
Mister Sonko repeatedly accused President Macky Sall of being behind the “conspiracy” in an attempt to damage his image and hinder his political career”. In fact it was not the first time that a prominent opposition figure was being targeted by the judiciary. For some observers, President Macky Sall is known to have used the judiciary to arrest and hinder opposition figures careers. Among leaders who have been victims, are former mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall, as well as Karim Wade, son of former president Abdoulaye Wade.
Senegal used to be a role model of democracy and stability in West Africa. But this image is being destroyed by a regime that is known to use the judiciary to complot and dismiss opposition figures political careers.
Following waves of violent protests across the country (FreeSenegal), Sonko was released and placed under court supervision on March 8. Nevertheless, protests continued to demand for democracy to be respected in the country.
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