Senegal: defamation trial of opponent Ousmane Sonko postponed to March 16
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko stands atop a car after his hearings for a case in which he is accused of defamation, in Dakar, Senegal, February 16, 2023. REUTERS - ZOHRA BENSEMRA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko was once again facing justice on February 16, 2023. A trial finally postponed to March 16.
The opponent and candidate for the next presidential election is being prosecuted for defamation, public insult, forgery and use of forgery by the Minister of Tourism.
Ousmane Sonko had publicly accused Mame Mbaye Niang of having been singled out in a report by the General State Inspectorate for embezzlement.
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Charlotte Idrac
This trial of the leader of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (Pastef) party has been adjourned to March 16, 2023 at the request of Ousmane Sonko's lawyers.
A Sonko who was present at the hearing, this February 16, like the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang.
As he left the courthouse, there was a smell of tear gas.
The court is placed under very high security.
The entrances are filtered, the militants kept at a safe distance.
RFI also noted a major deployment of the gendarmerie in the Cité Keur Gorgui district where the opponent's home is located.
Police and tear gas in front of the courthouse where the defamation trial against Ousmane Sonko was to be held, in Dakar, February 16, 2023. AFP - SEYLLOU
An imposing device therefore for this defamation trial which could be quite banal, except that this case could have consequences on the presidential ambitions of Ousmane Sonko in the event of conviction.
The day before, the latter had denounced a “
masquerade
”.
The Minister of Tourism is asking for proof.
He says he wants to see the famous report quoted by Ousmane Sonko on alleged mismanagement of the Community Agricultural Domains Program (Prodac).
This procedure is thus taking place in a tense political context, one year before the next presidential election, scheduled for February 2024.
Several rallies have been organized in recent weeks by the Pastef, by the ruling coalition as well, with declarations going to war on both sides which create latent tension in the country.
There were also clashes
on February 10 in the town of Mbacké
when a meeting of Ousmane Sonko's party had been banned.
An Ousmane Sonko who is being prosecuted in another case: that of the accusations of rape by the former masseuse Adji Sarr.
No date has been set for this trial.
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