Senegal: lifting of one of Ousmane Sonko's two police custody, start of an uncertain week

The opponent Ousmane Sonko.

SEYLLOU / AFP

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3 min

Tense start of the week in Senegal where a collective calls on the population to mobilize for the next three days.

Since last Wednesday March 3, the country has been shaken by violent demonstrations linked to the Ousmane Sonko affair, the political opponent arrested for "disturbing public order" whose custody was lifted on Sunday night in Monday.

He was not released, however, because he must appear today before the investigating judge in another case where he is accused of rape and threats.

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The custody of Ousmane Sonko was lifted last night in the case of disturbing public order, but he still spent the night behind the bars of the Colobane gendarmerie, assure his lawyers.

At issue: the arrest warrant still in force in the proceedings concerning the rape charge.

He should appear on Monday before the deans of the investigating judges who will decide whether he will be released on bail, under judicial supervision or under a committal warrant.

The new “movement for the defense of democracy” still calls for peaceful mobilization throughout the country today.

Against this backdrop, in Dakar, residents are holding their breath and preparing for an eventful week.

Classes are suspended this week " 

in all education and training structures 

" according to the government.

Businesses have also announced that they will remain closed, after some supermarkets in the capital had already lowered the curtain since the protests

last week

.

Many therefore stockpiled food in supermarkets where the queues were long, others went to fill up with gasoline or draw money from the bank.

The security system is also reinforced around the presidential palace.

The protest movement has grown,

well beyond the case

involving Ousmane Sonko, with social and economic demands, against the backdrop of a pandemic.

Many voices warn of the risk of escalation in Senegal.

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  • Senegal