Senegal opposition leader Sonko arrested, charged
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Sonko faces charges of undermining state security, criminal association, activities threatening public security and causing major political discontent, and stealing.
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Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko speaks to journalists after his release from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, on March 8, 2021. (AP)
Seven new charges have been brought against Senegalese opposition leader and presidential candidate Ousmane Sonko on Saturday. The accusations against Sonko include statements he made, demonstrations he conducted, and other incidents since 2021, including an incident at his home a day earlier that led to his arrest. Sonko's prior incarceration and trial prompted violent-turned-deadly protests.
Undermining state security, criminal association, activities threatening public security and causing major political discontent, and stealing are among the allegations.
Prosecutor Abdoul Karim Diop stated that the arrest is unrelated to a moral corruption case Sonko was tried for.
According to the public broadcaster, RTS, Sonko snatched a phone from a female police officer Friday whose car broke down in front of his residence in the capital and then "immediately sent a subversive message" to his fans on social media, claiming that security forces stationed outside his home were filming him.
Sonko's arrest had previously been reported by numerous acquaintances, including his director of protocol. Prior to his arrest, Sonko Tweeted a photo of police officers who he stated were stationed outside his home and recording him. Sonko claimed he "snatched the phone" and demanded that they "unlock it and delete the photos they took, which they had refused to do."
Days ago, Sonko called for a peaceful protest following the authorities' decision to block his planned rally.
In the PASTEF party primaries, Sonko was unanimously voted as the party's candidate for the February 25, 2024 presidential elections. However, the governor of Dakar announced Thursday that the opposition party's nomination rally, scheduled to take place in a stadium on the outskirts of the capital, had been banned due to concerns about public order.
In response, Sonko urged his supporters to express their disapproval peacefully. He called for a "concert of saucepans, horns, and firecrackers" on Saturday evening and encouraged his supporters to wear red as a sign of protest, inviting them to gather from 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm to voice their discontent and demand President Macky Sall's peaceful departure from office.
Sonko, who has been confined to his home in Dakar since May 28, accused President Sall of attempting to eradicate the PASTEF party and prevent him from running for president.
Sonko has campaigned vigorously against Sall. While this time he called for protests through a concert and firecrackers, earlier, he warned against potential "indescribable chaos" if he is barred from participating in the presidential race.
Sonko's convictions have led to violent clashes between his supporters and security forces, back in June, resulting in the worst unrest Senegal has witnessed in years. Senegalese Interior Minister Antoine Diome confirmed that at least nine people were killed in clashes following the sentencing of Sonko to two years behind bars.
