Senegal has remained an oasis of stability and a model for the peaceful transfer of power in Africa for the 60 years following independence, and has not witnessed coups or deadly conflicts such as those faced by a group of African countries except in a small amount, which allowed it to achieve political, economic and social stability, with full commitment to the Constitution, in the smooth transfer of power.

What sparked the protests?

The summoning of opposition leader and former Senegalese review chief Ousmane Sonko to court sparked massive protests in a number of Senegalese cities, against the background of his accusation of raping a beauty salon worker, in 2021, in addition to another case in which Senegalese Tourism Minister Alioune Sarr - a leader of the ruling party - pleaded on charges of defamation, insult and forgery after Sonko accused him of embezzling funds from an agricultural project, and what increased the congestion was the security services raiding Sonko's house and forcibly taking him to court, before Release it.

How did events unfold as a result of the protests?

The situation in the Senegalese capital Dakar and a number of other cities was tense after confrontations between supporters of Ousmane Sonko and the security services, where demonstrators targeted public property, and some French institutions, and with Sonko's insistence on calling on young people to demonstrate and protest, events developed:

  • The government has reinforced military and security with the announcement of new demonstrations called by opposition leader Sonko.
  • The unrest spread outside the capital, reaching the cities of Tess and St. Louis, after the authorities took the decision to ban and ban a number of his public meetings, and his supporters protested demanding his release.
  • A number of news websites were shut down for covering the demonstrations.
  • Schools were closed for a week.
  • Social media sites were blocked for hours.
  • Sonko's immunity was lifted in preparation for his trial.

Analysts point to the great popularity enjoyed by Ousmane Sonko, especially among young people (French)

Who is Osman Sonko?

  • Ousmane Sonko is a Senegalese politician and founder of the Patriots Party "Bastiff".
  • Born in Tess in 1974, he graduated from Cheikh Anta Diop University.
  • He served as Chief Tax Inspector in Senegal.
  • He was the youngest presidential candidate in 2019, finishing third.
  • He was a Member of Parliament between 2017 and 2022, in addition to serving as Mayor of Ziginchor.
  • His interest in politics began in 2014, but has risen very quickly.
  • He was fired after intending to expose corruption files involving state officials.
  • In his party, Sonko raises the slogan "Ethics, Work and Fraternity" and describes himself as "the clean man in a corrupt political environment," according to Jeune Afrique.

What is the truth of the case?

Since Senegal's legislative elections took place in July 2022 and Senegalese political circles began discussing the 2024 presidential election race, news has leaked that President Macky Sall intends to run for a third term, citing political and philosophical considerations, according to Senegalese researcher Abderrahmane Kane.

On the other hand, Sonko announced his intention to run for president, and with a balance of support in the youth sector, which represents more than 50% of the country's population, and with the chances of populism and charisma that Sonko possesses, the government began to fabricate several charges to prevent him from running in the elections, as he says, and to make way for the ruling party, whether the current president applies to run or any other candidate whose leader does not pose a threat to ensuring his victory.


What are other aspects of political conflict?

Recent events in Senegal have brought on the other side the early struggle for the presidency in 2024 between the ruling coalition and the opposition in the person of Ousmane Sonko:

First, for the ruling coalition, Osman Sonko is seen as a threat to his chances of winning power again regardless of who the candidate is.

– From the region of Casamans – which has been demanding secession for some time – and therefore the fears that this poses in the future at the country level, especially since the region is the main incubator of Sonko, while stressing that Osman does not carry any separatist tendencies.

– Sonko carries a project that calls for real independence by expelling the traditional allies of Senegal, i.e. France, which resonates with civic, youth and student circles such as the "Frap" association (Departure France), the youth association "Kefaya", and student movements in some universities such as the University of "Anta Diop" and the University of "Gaston Berger" where Osman studied, which finds acceptance in the whole region, and this does not agree with the ruling elites and does not serve the interest of the deep state in the country.

– Calls for an exit from the regional financial system that is managed by France within the group of 7 countries in West Africa and uses a currency known as the "sword of Frank" until the Senegalese economy is liberalized, and this has connotations consistent with the orientations of the countries that recently severed relations with France.

Second: On the other hand, Ousmane Sonko believes that President Macky Sall and his successor, the ruling coalition, are planning to prevent him from running for the presidential elections by distorting his reputation and tarnishing his history in front of Senegalese public opinion, so Sonko resorted to the street before fabricated sentences were issued against him targeting his political future and disrupting his career, and he is still challenging the authorities, that they cannot prevent or stop him from reaching the palace.

Senegalese President Macky Sall's position on running for a third presidential term (Anatolia) is ambiguous

Is it the curse of the third mandate?

Despite the recent tense and volatile situation in Senegal and the indictment of dissident Ousmane Sonko since March 2021, no sentences have been issued against him, in addition to other charges such as inciting riots and chaos, defamation against the Minister of Tourism, and violations of professional secrecy.

President Macky Sall did not declare a third term, but he did not explicitly deny it, and President Sall announced that he would discuss the matter in due course, causing confusion in political circles and doubts among his opponents. Is it the "curse of the third mandate"?, says researcher Abdul Rahman Kan, and where can it lead the country? Will President Sall silence dissenting voices by announcing that he will not run again?

On the other hand, it seems that Sonko is still confident in the ability of his supporters to protect him, as he has been released more than once under the pressure of protests by his young supporters. Or is there a compromise that can be reached with the deep state? Or does the PA use his deportation by issuing prison sentences that exclude him in favor of its agenda? This is what the coming days will reveal.