Troubles in Senegal: Macky Sall calls for calm, Ousmane Sonko for mobilization
Supporters of Ousmane Sonko, in Dakar, March 5, 2021. REUTERS - ZOHRA BENSEMRA
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In Senegal, a call for "calm and serenity" was launched this Monday evening by President Macky Sall.
The Head of State spoke in a message to the Nation, after several days of violent demonstrations which left at least 5 dead, according to an official report and 8 according to Amnesty International.
Troubles related to the legal proceedings concerning Ousmane Sonko, released under judicial supervision on Monday and indicted in a case of alleged rape.
The opponent also made a statement at the end of the day, just before the head of state, and calls for the continuation of the mobilizations.
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"
Let us silence our resentment and avoid the logic of the confrontation which leads to the worst
" ... In his message to the Nation, the Head of State pleaded for "
dialogue and consultation
".
He points out that the anger expressed in recent days is also linked to the impact of an economic crisis worsened by the covid-19 pandemic.
Macky Sall is therefore addressing young people: "
I understand your concern, and your concerns,
" he said.
Immediate measure: the health curfew in force in the regions of Dakar and Thiès is lightened, from midnight to 5 a.m.
On the judicial aspect of the crisis, Macky Sall calls for “
justice to take its course independently
”.
Just before the president's statement, in the wake of his release under judicial supervision, Ousmane Sonko also made a statement at the headquarters of his party, the Pastef.
"
We have a formidable youth
," said Ousmane Sonko, who paid tribute to the victims of the violence of recent days, before attacking President Macky Sall, whom he accuses of being "
responsible for the events of recent days
", d 'having
"betrayed the Senegalese people
" to "
persecute the opponents
" or even to have "
imposed the balance of power
".
Ousmane Sonko also formulated demands: the immediate and unconditional release of "
political prisoners
”or the opening of an independent investigation into the blunders during the demonstrations.
He asks the head of state to declare publicly and unambiguously that he will not be a candidate for the next presidential election in 2024.
"
The mobilization will continue
", he said "
with peaceful demonstrations
", before adding that "
fear must change sides
".
A crowd of demonstrators
Earlier in the day, and after the announcement of the investigating judge's decision, a crowd of demonstrators gathered in Dakar.
Ousmane Sonko left the court at midday very discreetly, out of sight.
He is therefore free to move but remains at the disposal of justice.
He must appear before the judge every last Friday of the month.
He will not be able to travel without his authorization.
He will have to respond to the summons of the judge and investigators and he has the obligation not to speak publicly about the judicial file, that of alleged rape.
Freedom under judicial control, therefore, and not the warrant of committal, a decision that goes in the direction of relaxation, according to the defense of Ousmane Sonko, even if his lawyers continue to denounce a "
political plot
" against the opponent .
What do the demonstrators think of this release under judicial supervision?
A crowd had gathered
in front of Ousmane Sonko's home.
Papa Ismaila Mané, a student, came in the hope of seeing the political opponent.
“
They told us that they released Songo under judicial supervision.
We don't want that.
We want him to be released completely and to prepare for his 2024 [presidential] campaign
”.
Police forces had not cordoned off the President of Pastef's neighborhood by early afternoon.
On a large white sheet was written "
Macky Sall resigns
".
For Djibi Pierre Diakité, protester, this mobilization goes beyond the case involving Ousmane Sonko: “
I am here precisely to ask for more freedom, more democracy.
The young people you see here are asking for nothing more, nothing less than to eat their fill, to take care of themselves.
We have done vocational training but we do not always find work
.
"
Senegalese flag at arm's length, thousands of sympathizers then gathered on the Place de la Nation.
Aminata Tall came with her sister.
She says she is ready to continue the mobilization: “
What we need is that Sonko be lifted from all charges and that the prisoners be released.
This is what will calm down.
"
At the end of the day, the crowd was dispersed by the police with tear gas and stun grenades.
Demonstrations were also organized in the regions, notably in Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor and Kolda.
The Senegalese Red Cross, in a press release, indicates that it has brought aid to 590 wounded since the start of the demonstrations last Wednesday in the region of Dakar, in Touba, in the department of Mbacké and Bignona, in Casamance.
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