A request for investigation for crimes against humanity was submitted to the International Criminal Court against Senegalese officials. Among them are notably President Macky Sall or his Minister of the Interior and the commander of the gendarmerie.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
This is a folder 170 pages which was forwarded to the International Criminal Court, according to Juan Branco, the French lawyer for opponent Ousmane Sonko. He claims to have received more than 4,500 pieces of evidence on “crimes” committed in Senegal since March 2021.
He cites dozens of names, within the family of the head of state, the government, or even the security apparatus. “ We have conducted a long investigation in recent months with the participation of hundreds of Senegalese which has enabled us to establish the existence of 60 crimes, considered crimes against humanity. These crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population “, explained the lawyer in front of the press.
We call for a preliminary examination and investigation to be initiated without delay
Juan Branco, French lawyer for Ousmane Sonko
The procedure therefore concerns the period between the riots of March 2021 and the violence of this month of June, which officially killed at least 16 people, 30 according to the opposition. Juan Branco is now asking the ICC prosecutor’s office to take up these elements. It will be up to the Court to decide whether or not to open an investigation.
Of the “ bluster »
An approach rejected upstream by the Minister of Armed Forces and former President of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC. Maitre Sidiki Kaba, during a government press conference last week: “ We have heard that the State of Senegal, its highest authorities, will be brought before the International Criminal Court. These are bluster. Those who say so have neither the quality nor the ability to do so. There is confusion because we want to tarnish the image of Senegal and undermine the morale of the defense and security forces “.
The Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aïssata Tall Sall, reacts on RFI and France 24 by qualifying this process of childish and ridiculous ».
According to Juan Branco, a complaint was also filed in France.