The movement of African Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef) was dissolved on July 31 by the Senegalese authorities. As for the leader of Pastef, Ousmane Sonko, convicted twice in May and June, he has been detained for almost eight weeks on various charges. In recent weeks, the opponent’s supporters have nevertheless found a new method to make themselves heard: “sonkorizing” cultural, sporting or everyday events. Explanations.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Léa-Lisa Westerhoff
“ Free Sonko! » These words were chanted by supporters of the opposition leader in Senegal, Ousmane Sonko. It was the evening of Tuesday September 21, 2023, in Paris. The concert of Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour was interrupted for a few minutes by these supporters. The video created a buzz in Senegal, but it is not the only one.
In recent weeks, it has become more and more frequent: supporters of the boss of the African Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef) have taken over cultural or sporting gatherings to express themselves. And also in Senegal, to the point that there now exists a word for it: “Sonkorize” an event.
Weddings or concerts are also “sonkorized”
This is a word that has appeared in the language in recent weeks. “ Sonko, we miss you ! », sung in Wolof. It was during a friendly soccer match in a neighborhood in the suburbs of Dakar, four days ago. Identical scenario during the football match between Senegal and Algeria a week ago. Weddings or concerts are also “sonkorized” and posted on social networks.
For political scientist Babacar Ndiaye of the Wathi Think Tank, it is a survival strategy for Pastef dissolved at the end of July : “ Their strategy today is to take advantage of demonstrations, for example football matches or concerts, because we noticed that the last demonstrations were banned. »
“ This reflects good party organization »
But for Ellimane Haby Kane, also a political scientist, it is also proof of organizational capacity: “ This reflects a good organization of the party, both at the level of social networks and at the level of the diaspora, where people can mobilize more easily than here, in Senegal, where all freedoms are somewhat ostracized. »
Mastery of communication tools and social networks restores a form of visibility to the dissolved opposition party as well as to its candidate.
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