In Senegal, Adji Sarr speaks for the first time in almost a year. On February 3, 2021, the young employee of a massage parlor had accused Ousmane Sonko, opposition figure at the head of Pastef, of repeated rapes, who denounces a political plot to her. A court case that had caused violent riots and 13 deaths officially.
From our correspondent in Dakar,
As she speaks, Adji Sarr touches a recent tattoo engraved with her first name on her wrist with her fingertips. ” Everyone told me to change my name, to not be recognized anymore, but I refused, because I am proud to be who I am. “Launches the young woman, who accused political opponent Ousmane Sonko in 2021 of repeated rapes in the massage parlor where she was employed.
This court case set Senegal ablaze, provoking violent and deadly riots across the country, while the leader of the Pastef party denounced a plot to remove him from the political scene. In total, 13 dead according to official figures and 590 injured were counted by the Red Cross. A year later, Adji Sarr comes out of his silence “ for the truth to come out “, giving a few interviews to handpicked media.
Her face hidden by large glasses and a surgical mask, she arrived discreetly at a secret place where the meeting is taking place, always accompanied by three police officers who ensure her safety. Protection obtained against the risk of aggression while the young woman has become the number one enemy of supporters of Ousmane Sonko.
” Everyone insulted me, I was always scared »
Adji Sarr first begins to reiterate his accusations, in a firm voice. But quickly, she remembers the consequences which were chained in cascade: her name revealed in the press and on social networks, the virulent attacks against her on the internet and in the front pages of the newspapers, then the demonstrations and the deaths.
“ I didn’t sleep, I didn’t eat… Everyone insulted me, I was always afraid of violence; even when going to the shower, I wore my clothes for fear of being attacked. And even my own family was afraid to identify with me and afraid to call me on the phone or come to see me, for fear of being killed afterwards. I dreaded going out and being recognized…which continues to this day “says the young woman. His former colleagues at the massage parlor therefore did not wish to testify in the context of the investigation, for fear of putting themselves in danger.
On the opposition side, she is accused of participating in a plot hatched by the regime of President Macky Sall, but also of being a venal woman and of ” bad morals “. “ It has never been a private matter for us, but a strategy of power that uses women and women’s bodies to reach a political adversary. “, vehemently denounces Bassirou Diomaye Faye, co-founder of Pastef and current president of the national movement of patriotic executives of the same party. Accusations that she brushes aside. “ If there’s a conspiracy, I swear I don’t know the perpetrators… If I did, I wouldn’t have any problem eating, drinking or doing anything. “, she explains. A conspiracy theory that the majority in power also rejects.
“ This is an attempt to obstruct justice following a private court case between two Senegalese citizens “Said Pape Mahaw Diouf, spokesperson for the majority coalition, Benno Bokk Yakaar.
From now on, Adji Sarr says she lives with her aunt and sisters, with whom she moves regularly so as not to be spotted. Only one association – which wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons – helps him on a daily basis to cover his expenses. Trapped between the bedroom and the living room, she cannot even go out on the balcony or raise her voice, for fear of arousing suspicion and being recognized. “ I do nothing but pray “explains the young woman, who is also clinging to the writing of an autobiographical book. But she sleeps very bad and is forced to take medication to help her sleep, when she constantly feels like she’s being attacked. She says she suffers from post-traumatic stress and denounces the fact of having no state aid.
Ousmane Sonko elected mayor of Ziguinchor
Meanwhile, Ousmane Sonko has been elected mayor in January 2022 of Ziguinchor, one of the largest cities in the south of the country, and is preparing for the legislative elections next July as one of the main leaders of the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi. ” When Sonko was elected mayor, I cried all night. Someone who was accused of rape and who becomes mayor… Whereas before being accused of rape, he was nothing at all, only a simple deputy… What scares me the most is that he has more and more power “, dreads Adji Sarr, who fears to see him one day president of the republic.
Because today unable to work, the young woman can no longer have a ” normal life ” in Senegal. She is looking to go abroad, but above all to come back home stronger in order to defend women’s rights. ” In Senegal, women fight women. What I went through, I don’t want any woman to go through this again “, she says, disappointed that women’s organizations do not defend her more. Some had replied, to wait to find out if the accusations are founded “, before accompanying him in his complaint.
Today, she has decided to take her commitment into her own hands, for example by supporting Ndèyne Fatima Dione on social networks, the Miss Senegal who had also denounced being a victim of rape. “ I am a woman fighter, I have overcome everything that has happened in the past year… I will fight until the end “explains the complainant.
An approaching trial
As March 3 approached, when Ousmane Sonko was arrested on the way to court for “ disturbance of public order » and therefore the date of the start of the riots, Adji Sarr is apprehensive. “ On the one hand, I’m afraid of the harassment and insults that will come out, but at the same time I want to fight and it’s time for people to stop talking for me. »
The investigation is still in progress, but Adji Sarr claims to have no idea of the progress of the legal case and is starting to become impatient. ” I want nothing more than a trial so I can get my life back. I need it too much “, she insists.
Ousmane Sonko must still be heard by the judge. “ We want Sonko to be auditioned quickly to raise the sword of Damocles above his head and bring the truth to light “Launches Me Bamba Cissé, the political opponent’s lawyer. After the failure of a first attempt, he reiterated the request for the lifting of the judicial control which confiscated his passport and which prevents him from traveling outside Senegal. While the case had slowed down following the death of the investigating judge in April 2021, replaced seven months later, Mr. Abdou Dyaly Kane, who defends Adji Sarr recalls that ” the victim can request acts of investigation, such as a DNA test of Mr. Sonko because samples had been taken “.
From now on, the young girl explains only waiting for her trial even if she has little hope in justice. ” I understood that in this country, only power works. If you don’t have money and if you don’t have power, you are not considered. Justice is double-edged… “, she explains, resigned.