Senegal: clashes in Dakar during the defamation trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko

Supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko during a clash with security forces before the Pastef party president appears in court for a defamation case against him in Dakar, Senegal on March 16, 2023. REUTERS - ZOHRA BENSEMRA

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko is again in court, this Thursday, March 16, 2023. The opponent is being sued for defamation by the Minister of Tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang. A high-risk trial for his political future. He denounces an instrumentalization of justice to exclude him from the presidential election of 2024. Clashes took place in the morning in Dakar, where an imposing security apparatus was deployed.

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With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac

Ousmane Sonko's journey to court was stormy on March 16, 2023. The opponent had left his home around 9 a.m., escorted by the police and accompanied many supporters to shouts of "Sonko rek" ("Sonko only").

► Read also Senegal: tension near the home of the opponent Ousmane Sonko on the eve of his trial

The convoy was blocked for a while at the Stele Mermoz roundabout. There was a disagreement on the route to take, as has already been the case in previous convocations. Tension rose with stones thrown at demonstrators and tear gas fired by the police.

#Senegal Ousmane Sonko's convoy to the court that left his home about 1 hour ago but blocked towards the Mermoz stele roundabout, police escort, activists dispersed by tear gas#kebetu pic.twitter.com/HcDtj52HSL

— Charlotte Idrac (@CharlotteIdrac) March 16, 2023

Eventually, Ousmane Sonko was pulled from his vehicle and taken to court by the police. "Our client was brutalized and is not able to appear," one of his lawyers, Me Ciré Clédor Ly, told the court. A defense that also asks for the dismissal of the judge in charge of the case.

Ousmane Sonko, dressed in white, then said: "There is no institution in the country." The RPA, the presidential party, accused the opposition of creating disorder and "castigating the rule of law".

This Thursday at midday, sporadic incidents are reported in several sectors of Dakar: Mermoz, VDN, Keur Gorgui or Cheikh Anta Diop. Tear gas canisters are still regularly heard.

The police are very visible on the strategic points of the capital and especially at the courthouse. Several businesses and schools are closed for safety reasons.

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• Senegal
• Justice