New tense political sequence in Senegal before the trial for defamation of opponent Ousmane Sonko, scheduled for Thursday. After a meeting which brought together several thousand people on Tuesday in Dakar, the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi called for marches this Wednesday across the country, including one in Dakar which was banned by the authorities. But the opponent was finally prevented from leaving his home, illustrating the tensions ahead of the February 2024 presidential election.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
An imposing security system has been deployed around the home of Ousmane Sonko in the Cité Keur Gorgui district, with barriers and filtered access. MPs from his Yewwi Askan Wi coalition who wanted to visit him at midday were repelled by tear gas. The elected Guy Marius Sagna claims to have been injured in the leg by a projectile.
Ousmane Sonko’s entourage denounces ” illegal house arrest “. In a statement, his Pastef party called on its activists to ” lift the blockade “. However, the situation at 7 p.m. UT remained calm.
On the Place de la Nation, where the Dakar march was announced, several armored police vehicles were present. In its decree, the prefecture justified the ban by ” threat of public disorder » and the presence of a construction site on the route. On the other hand, marches were authorized in other localities of the country, in particular Guediawaye, Pikine, Mbacké or even Zinguinchor.
New mobilizations after a rally of the opposition as a show of force Tuesday, March 14 in the town of Parcelles Assainies. VShe great gathering was “ a signal sent to power ” And ” one of the steps “, according to supporters of the Yewwi Askan Wi coalition who counted today ” keep up the pressure “.
Risk of escalation
But it also comes before the trial of Ousmane Sonko on Thursday March 16 for defamation, facing the Minister of Tourism. A risky trial for his political future, because he could block his way to the presidential election scheduled for February 2024, but also at risk, because he fears tensions.
But he is also the subject of a second procedure, she, for accusations of rape.
The opposition denounces, among other things, ” an instrumentalization of justice », to, according to her, eliminate Ousmane Sonko from the presidential race of February 2024. The Yewwi Askan Wi coalition also accuses the authorities of « arbitrary arrests » and to recruit « thugs “, henchmen, alongside the security forces.
On the side of the ruling coalition, Benno Bokk Yaakar has accused the opposition in recent days of being ” irresponsible “, to seek to ” destabilize institutions ” by ” violence and called his supporters ” to deal with attempts at trouble “.
Threatening speeches therefore multiply on both sides. Several religious and civil society leaders have warned of a risk of escalation.
