In Senegal, a week after Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to 2 years in prison, a precarious calm continues to reign in Dakar. Religious leaders traditionally play a mediating role in crises in Senegal. But do they have the means to appease the current political crisis? The faithful met at the exit of the Great Mosque give their opinion. Reporting.
With our special correspondents in Dakar, David Baché and Richard Riffonneau
In Senegal, it has now been a week since Ousmane Sonko was sentenced and his participation in next year’s presidential election is compromised. The country’s president, Macky Sall, continues to maintain the suspense over his candidacy for a possible third term, which is highly contested.
A precarious calm continues to reign in the capital, suspended from a possible arrest of Ousmane Sonko, cloistered in his home which the police forbid him to leave.
On June 5, 2023, Macky Sall went to Touba to meet the Caliph General of the Muslim brotherhood of the Mourides, without anything filtering from this interview.
Religious leaders traditionally play a mediating role in Senegal. But do they have the means to appease the current political crisis? What can the Senegalese expect from their involvement?
” Religious leaders are expected to try to defuse this situation »
” Whenever there are problems, it is the religious leaders who have the ability to solve all these problems “says a faithful met at the end of prayer, at the Great Mosque of Dakar.
Asked about a possible less influence of religious leaders on politicians, he replied: “ No, that is to say, they don’t speak out loud, they don’t do it publicly. ” He pursues : ” They have to say that we have a Constitution, that people respect the Constitution. No third term, that’s for sure. »
Regarding the conviction of Ousmane Sonko, another believer underlines: ” It is true that, often, we like to say that justice is independent, in quotation marks. But we know what it is. Much is expected of religious leaders. We expect them to try to defuse this situation which is so difficult. »
” The only solution is to let everyone go to the elections »
Asked about a possible political position of the religious, a third believer said: “ Yes, because we know it’s a political thing. Another accuses: There are certain religious leaders – some, I specify – they are accomplices of Macky Sall, who do not tell the truth. You say that Ousmane Sonko is not like that or like that. But we have to say to Macky Sall: “It’s you who must step back.” »
And when asked if religious leaders are today too close to power, the answer fuses: “ Of course that’s the truth “says one of the interviewees.
One of the devotees says: Senegal is a country of believers. What they must say to Ousmane Sonko, to Macky Sall, is that we Senegalese are in a country where people know how to vote. Now, the religious leaders, they just have to tell Macky Sall and Ousmane Sonko to leave all the parties that are there. This is the only solution: let everyone go to the elections. »
Another concludes: People got heated with lots of demonstrations left and right. But when they speak, that’s enough because all of us are connected to these brotherhoods. »