Senegal: M2D, genesis and objectives

Dakar, Senegal, March 8.

The arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko sparked a protest movement that claimed several lives.

AP - Leo Correa

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

In Senegal, a national mourning was decreed by President Macky Sall this Thursday, March 11, in tribute to the victims of the recent demonstrations, which left at least 5 dead according to an official report, 11 according to the protest movement.

This very recent "movement for the defense of democracy", M2D, had previously called for the organization of a day of mourning on Friday.

A coalition made up of political groups and citizen movements.

How was he born?

What are its watchwords?

Publicity

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It was only a few hours after the

arrest of Ousmane Sonko

for disturbing public order on March 3.

In the process, political figures and civil society announced the creation of a "framework of unity of action".

Among the signatories: opposition parliamentarians - including

Ousmane Sonko

 -, leaders of political movements - Thierno Bocoum of the Agir movement, Babacar Diop of the Democratic Forces of Senegal… -, and heads of citizen organizations - 

Aliou Sané

de Y 'en a Marre, or Guy Marius Sagna from Frapp-France Dégage… -.

Objective: "Unite all resistance to face autocratic practices".

A coalition that has become the M2D

The movement aims to be "broad, open and inclusive".

To represent him, during his statements: Aliou Sané, Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, from the political platform Avenir Sénégaal bi nu bëgg, the economist Yassine Fall, or the former minister

Ndèye Fatou Diop Blondi

n

A motley alliance, united around the same line.

For the M2D, President Macky Sall "no longer has the moral dignity" to lead Senegal.

The coalition denounces a "sordid plot" against Ousmane Sonko, and a will of the power "to eliminate all political opposition".

Among other demands: the release of prisoners "arbitrarily detained" according to him, and "the opening of an independent investigation" on those responsible for the deaths recorded during the demonstrations.

The movement announces the upcoming publication of a memorandum of 10 demands.

► 

Also to listen

: Sonko case: "There may be a two-tier justice" in Senegal

We do not have vocation to be there ad vitam aeternam

 " assures

Cheikh Tidiane Dièye

, one of the persons in charge of the M2D.

The coalition has " 

a specific mission, framed in time and space 

".

The collective calls for "synergy", and aims to become "more powerful"

than the M23 in 2011/2012

, the protest movement which had fought against a third term of the president of the time, Abdoulaye Wade.

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  • Senegal