In Senegal, the lawyers of opponent Ousmane Sonko are launching a legal counter-offensive. After the ECOWAS court of justice two weeks ago, the opponent’s lawyers filed two appeals before the Senegalese Supreme Court and one before the Ziguinchor district court in the south of the country.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Léa-Lisa Westerhoff
The first appeal took place following the refusal of the general directorate of elections to give Ousmane Sonko’s representative the form which allows citizen sponsorships to be collected for the presidential election. Filed Monday, October 2 in summary proceedings before the Supreme Court, the opponent’s lawyers are expecting a response within 48 hours, potentially as early as today.
The second appeal relates to the dissolution of the opponent’s party Pastef. The lawyers believe that it was unnecessary because the political group did not suffer from any irregularity, and never called for an insurrection, according to them. They also believe that there should have been a warning before the decision to dissolve.
Finally, Ousmane Sonko’s counsel wants to file a third appeal on Wednesday October 4, this time before the Ziguinchor administrative court, in the south of the country. This is to protest against the removal of their candidate from the electoral lists. According to them, a person tried in absentia and subsequently arrested must be retried. Pending this new trial, Ousmane Sonko should regain all his rights, according to them, and therefore also that of being registered on the electoral roll.
Finally, there remains the request filed before the ECOWAS Court of Justice 15 days ago, Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers hope for a response by the end of the week.
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