He is one of the main faces of the opposition. The voice of those who aspire to a renewal at the head of Senegal, led since 2012 by Macky Sall. Ousmane Sonko, who assumes as much the suit and tie as the sneakers and the cap, enjoys significant support from the Senegalese population.

Ousmane Sonko, 48, is expected Thursday, March 30 at the court of Dakar where he is prosecuted for "defamation, insults and forgery" by the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang. Already postponed twice, the trial provoked a wave of popular protests to denounce an attempt to weaken the opponent ahead of the elections. A conviction could prevent him from being a candidate in the February 2024 presidential election.

From tax official to leading figure

However, a few years ago, he was unknown to the Senegalese political scene. Ousmane Sonko was born in 1975 in Thiès, 70 kilometers east of Dakar. Son of civil servant parents, he grew up in Casamance and went to study at the Gaston-Berger University in Saint-Louis, where he obtained his master's degree in public law in 1999. Two years later, he graduated first in his class at the National School of Administration (ENA) of Senegal and began his career as a tax inspector.

After three years in the administration, he created the Autonomous Union of Tax and Estates Agents (SAID). It was in 2014 that he entered politics with the creation of his own party, Pastef (Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity).

In 2016, he was propelled to the forefront when he accused the state of tax fraud and corruption based on his experience as an inspector. In particular, the official denounces embezzlement of public funds or tax advantages improperly received by personalities in power. He publishes "Oil and gas in Senegal – Chronicle of a spoliation" (ed. Fauves) in which he denounces the management of the country's natural resources by the president and his entourage.

He was then struck off the civil service for "breach of the duty of discretion" by a presidential decree. It was really at this time that he became a leading figure," says Babacar Ndiaye, director of research and publications at the Dakar-based think tank Wathi.

Figure of a youth in search of change

Elected MP in 2017, he is comfortable on television sets and smiling during meetings with activists. Ousmane Sonko knows how to use shock phrases, and opposes the official narrative of a Senegal "on the road to emergence", promise of President Macky Sall.

In 2019, he entered the presidential race. His speech seduced young people. "He addresses young people with remarks in favor of economic sovereignty, patriotism, while criticizing the governance of the state," continues Babacar Ndiaye. "He arrived with a discourse of change and this met with a form of support from young people. And above all, he is not a "politician". But his detractors blame him for his lack of experience and his sensational speeches.

>> Read also - Senegal: who is this youth behind the leader of the opposition, Ousmane Sonko?

On February 24, 2019, he finished in third place in the presidential election with 15.67% of the vote, behind outgoing President Macky Sall and former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck.

Judicial cases, a "sword of Damocles"

In February 2021, the opponent was accused of rape and death threats by Adji Sarr, an employee of a beauty salon. He denied the facts and denounced a political maneuver. His arrest provoked violent clashes between his supporters and the police. The wave of protests is unprecedented for this West African country known for its stability. Released under judicial control in March 2021, Ousmane Sonko says he is the victim of "a state plot" initiated by relatives of President Macky Sall.

Ousmane Sonko speaks to journalists after being released from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, Monday, March 8, 2021. © Sylvain Cherkaoui, AP

This does not prevent Ousmane Sonko from continuing his rise in politics. In 2022, he was elected mayor of Ziguinchor, after forming the Yewwi Askan Wi – YAW, Free the People in Ouolof language – coalition with several opposition members, including former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall.

As of social networks, Ousmane Sonko speaks very regularly live on his Facebook page to reach a large fringe of the Senegalese population, making the rest of the political class and its communication methods cheesy. Far from the virtual, Ousmane Sonko also knows how to galvanize crowds.

Mehdi Ba, who has interviewed him twice for Jeune Afrique in recent years, describes him as a "left-wing sovereignist". The journalist explains: "The tone of his political discourse is rather left-wing - even if the right-left subdivision does not prevail in Senegal - and at the same time sovereignist, since it puts forward the interests of Senegal at the international level and those of the people at the national level."

In August 2022, he is running for the next presidential election in February 2024. If Ousmane Sonko is on the rise, we must not forget "the sword of Damocles hanging over his head because of the two legal cases that target him and could, if convicted, lead to his ineligibility in 2024," recalls Mehdi Ba.

"He could be Senegal's next head of state"

If Ousmane Sonko is able to run for president in 2024, "he could be the next head of state of Senegal," said Nicolas Normand, former ambassador of France in Dakar. On condition that the youth go to the polls. Beyond his challenge to the economic and social situation, Ousmane Sonko "exploits a widespread resentment, which needs scapegoats being the Senegalese government, and France, the main economic partner," he continues. In January, the opponent had firmly denied an "anti-French" sentiment on France 24: "We have nothing against France".

Opposition supporters two days before the trial of Ousmane Sonko, in Dakar, March 14, 2023. © AFP

In recent weeks, supporters of Ousmane Sonko have taken to the streets several times to denounce a trial they describe as an attempt by President Macky Sall's government to weaken the opposition ahead of elections. Violence erupted on 16 March, when police fired tear gas against supporters who followed their vehicle to court. "These disorders are advertising Sonko," says Nicolas Normand. "He exploits all the blunders of power to his advantage."

Following a call to demonstrate, supporters of Ousmane Sonko gathered on Tuesday (March 29th) in the university campus of Dakar. "We witnessed a face-to-face confrontation between the students and the police massively deployed with stone throwing against tear gas grenades," said France 24 correspondent Sarah Sakho. According to Mehdi Ba of Jeune Afrique, Ousmane Sonko "is someone who, since 2021, has tested the repressive limits of Macky Sall's regime. Among his critics, some accuse him of being a provocateur and of going too far. And blame him for trying to reach the breaking point beyond which things could get out of control." The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) expressed "its deep concern at the intensification of the repression against members of the political opposition and journalists", calling on the authorities to "guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms". Enough to give weight to the opponent Ousmane Sonko.

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