Reporting
Southern Senegal: how Ziguinchor copes without its mayor, opponent Ousmane Sonko, in prison
In Senegal, it is time for consultations after the postponement of the presidential election initially scheduled for February 25. President Macky Sall promised consultations for the organization of the vote “
as soon as possible
”. At the same time, the coalition which supports Bassirou Diomaye Faye is still demanding the release of its candidate, and that of the leader of the former Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, detained in Dakar since July 2023. The opponent is mayor of Ziguinchor in the south of country for two years. At the town hall, he is absent... very present. Reporting.
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The town hall of Ziguinchor, Senegal. © Charlotte Idrac/RFI
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With our special correspondent in Ziguinchor,
Charlotte Idrac
The padded door to the mayor's office is closed. Abdou Sané is a municipal councilor for the former African Patriots of Senegal party for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef), in Ziguinchor. The town hall “
functions normally
” he says: “
Ousmane Sonko has always had the reflex to put in place a substantial team – beyond affection, perhaps – but from the point of view of operation, everyone is involved. fully discharges its missions. We don’t feel his absence
.”
The town hall has 16 deputies and 80 municipal councilors, an overwhelming majority come from
the former Pastef party, a party dissolved in July 2023
.
Read alsoSenegal: the port of Ziguinchor still at a standstill, with serious economic consequences
That day, a meeting is devoted to the budget. A session chaired by Djibril Sonko - no relation to Ousmane Sonko - second deputy mayor. “
We are committed to managing the town hall and putting people in better conditions,”
explains the elected official.
It is also a commitment to the mayor, taking into account his situation and taking into account his vision. I tried several times to meet him but it's complicated to get a visit permit from the administration... No direct contact.
»
Ousmane Sonko was elected with his program
Burok
, “work”. But the absence of the mayor is slowing down projects, says Dame Bèye, municipal councilor of the ruling coalition in
Senegal
, Benno Bokk Yakaar: “
For almost 2 years, we have noticed a lot of delay in the execution of programs and projects which were submitted to the people of Ziguinchor by Mayor Ousmane Sonko
. »
Among the priorities expressed by residents: employment, the road network, and even sanitation.
Read alsoSenegal: candidate Rose Wardini withdraws from the presidential race
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