Highlights: In an undated video, imprisoned opponent Ousmane Sonko names his number two Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement in the Senegalese presidential election on February 25. In his 44-minute video, Ous mane sonko also calls for the release of Bassiru Diomaye. Lawyers believe that the serious crimes with which he is accused – six counts in total including “ acts likely to compromise public peace ”, but also calling for insurrection, endangering the security of the State – would not allow provisional release.

In an undated video, imprisoned opponent Ousmane Sonko names his number two Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement in the Senegalese presidential election on February 25.

Presidential election in Senegal: opponent Ousmane Sonko calls to vote for his number 2 Bassirou Diomaye Faye

In an undated video, imprisoned opponent Ousmane Sonko names his number two Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement in the Senegalese presidential election on February 25.

The Senegalese Bassirou Diomaye Faye. © Bassirou Diomaye Faye

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Dakar,

Léa-Lisa Westerhoff

Senegal

, no more possible doubt: the opponent Ousmane Sonko, confirms the choice of Bassirou Diomaye Faye to replace him in the presidential election on February 25

It was through a pre-recorded video broadcast on his Facebook page and media close to the opposition that Ousmane Sonko made this announcement on January 28, 2024 that we had not heard the sound of his voice since his arrest on July 28.

Read alsoCalls on current events - [Your questions] Bassirou Diomaye Faye replaces Ousmane Sonko in the Senegalese presidential election

This is the opponent's second speech in a few days. This video, like the first, would have been recorded while Ousmane Sonko was still under house arrest in July, according to a member of his party. “

We had worked on different scenarios, including this one,

” explains El Malick Ndiaye, the spokesperson for the ex-African Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef, the formation of Ousmane Sonko, dissolved).

We see the opponent in traditional clothing, his official portrait in hologram behind him, detailing his strategy for 44 minutes in Wolof. And first: the confirmation of Bassirou Diomaye Faye as a replacement candidate.

“

Bassirou is me

,” explains Ousmane Sonko, who introduces him as his “

little brother

”. “

Bassirou is more honest than me

” and “

extremely brilliant

,” he says again. Before concluding: “

I place the project in his hands.

In his 44-minute video, Ousmane Sonko also calls for the release of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in the name of the principle of equality between candidates

Because that is the whole question now: will Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in pre-trial detention since April for charges of calling for insurrection – among others – be released to campaign?

Lawyers believe that the serious crimes with which he is accused – six counts in total including “

acts likely to compromise public peace

”, but also calling for insurrection, endangering the security of the State – do not would not allow provisional release.

Others put forward article 32 of the Constitution which guarantees

“the equality of candidates for the use of propaganda means

”. Under this article, Bassirou Diomaye Faye should therefore have the right to freely conduct his campaign, if he requests provisional release. So far, no request has been made.

In the immediate future, Ousmane Sonko in any case calls on the other presidential candidates, political partners of his party, such as Habib Sy and Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, to remain candidates, to increase air time in favor of the candidate of the former -Pastef.

Presidential election in Senegal: opponent Ousmane Sonko calls to vote for his number 2 Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Presidential election in Senegal: opponent Ousmane Sonko calls to vote for his number 2 Bassirou Diomaye Faye

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