Senegal: tension near Ousmane Sonko's home on the eve of his trial
Supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko demonstrated by the thousands in Dakar on March 14, 2023. © Zohra Bensemra / Reuters
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3 min
New tense political sequence in Senegal before the trial for defamation of the opponent Ousmane Sonko, scheduled for Thursday. After a rally that brought together several thousand people on Tuesday in Dakar, the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi called for marches this Wednesday across the country, including one in Dakar that was banned by the authorities. But the opponent was finally prevented from leaving his home, illustrating the tensions ahead of the February 2024 presidential election.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
An imposing security device was deployed around Ousmane Sonko's home in the Cité Keur Gorgui district, with barriers and filtered access. MPs from his Yewwi Askan Wi coalition who wanted to visit him at midday were pushed back by tear gas. The elected Guy Marius Sagna claims to have been wounded in the leg by a projectile.
The entourage of Ousmane Sonko denounces "an illegal house arrest". In a statement, his Pastef party called on its activists to "lift the blockade". The situation at 19:<> GMT, however, remained calm.
On the Place de la Nation, where the Dakar march was announced, several armored police vehicles were present. In its decree, the prefecture justified the ban by "threats of disturbance to public order" and the presence of a construction site on the route. On the other hand, marches have been authorized in other localities of the country, including Guediawaye, Pikine, Mbacké or Zinguinchor.
New mobilizations after an opposition rally with a show of force on Tuesday, March 14 in the commune of Parcelles Assainies. This large rally was "a signal sent to power" and "one of the steps", according to supporters of the Yewwi Askan Wi coalition who now intended to "keep up the pressure".
Risk of escalation
But this also happens before the trial of Ousmane Sonko Thursday, March 16 for defamation, facing the Minister of Tourism. A trial at risk for his political future, because it could block the road for the presidential election scheduled for February 2024, but also at risk, because it raises fears of tensions.
But he is also the subject of a second procedure, her, for accusations of rape.
The opposition denounces, among other things, "an instrumentalization of justice", to, according to it, eliminate Ousmane Sonko from the presidential race of February 2024. The Yewwi Askan Wi coalition also accuses the authorities of "arbitrary arrests" and recruiting "thugs", henchmen, alongside the security forces.
On the side of the ruling coalition, Benno Bokk Yaakar has accused the opposition in recent days of being "irresponsible", of seeking to "destabilize institutions" through "violence" and called on his supporters "to face attempts at unrest".
Threatening speeches are therefore multiplying on both sides. Several religious and civil society leaders have warned of a risk of escalation.
Supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko during a protest in Dakar, March 14, 2023. © Sylvain Cherkaoui / AP
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