Ousmane Sonko - The African Mirror

May

2023

Senegal opposition leader’s rape trial resumes amid fears of unrest

THE delayed rape trial of Senegal's opposition leader Ousmane Sonko resumed in his absence in the capital Dakar as defence lawyers withdrew from the case and his party called for public protest. Security forces patrolled crossroads and enforced a temporary ban on motorcycles as authorities feared another round of protests that have flared sporadically since Sonko was first detained over the case in 2021. Sonko, 48, is accused of sexually assaulting and making death threats to a woman who worked in a massage parlour. A conviction could quash his intentions to run again for president in elections next year. That…

May

2023

By NGOUDA DIONE

Rape trial of Senegalese opposition leader Sonko starts

NEWS

THE rape trial of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko started in a court in the capital Dakar, following violent protests by supporters who say it is a political plot. Sonko is accused of sexually assaulting and making death threats to a woman who worked in a massage parlour in 2021. He has denied the charges, saying they are a scheme by President Macky Sall to disqualify him from the 2024 presidential election. Sall denies this. Sonko was not in court when the trial started around 1000 GMT. His alleged victim appeared with her lawyers. A judge opened the case before…

May

2023

By NGOUDA DIONE

Senegalese opposition rally against President Sall’s possible third-term ambition

NEWS

HUNDREDS of Senegalese opposition supporters and civil society activists gathered at a square in the capital on Friday to protest a potential third-term bid by the West African nation's president, Macky Sall. Senegal has been shaken by violent protests over a host of issues including fears by opposition parties that Sall may seek a third term in office. Sall, 61, came to power in 2012 and won re-election in 2019. Senegal's new constitution, adopted in 2016, limits presidential terms to two five-year mandates. Sall has not confirmed or denied he plans to run. He told the French newspaper L'Express in March that…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Senegal rocked by more unrest as police quell protests

NEWS

BATE FELIX and NGOUDA DIONE POLICE fired tear gas at stone-hurling protesters in Senegal's capital ahead of a court case involving a prominent opposition politician that has triggered anger among youth. Demonstrators in Dakar burned tyres and set fire to buses and a large supermarket, the latest outbreak of violence has shaken Senegal's reputation as a bastion of stable democracy ahead of next year's presidential election. Thursday's clashes began when supporters of presidential hopeful Ousmane Sonko were blocked from accompanying his motorcade to a courthouse where he faces trial for libel. The trial was postponed until March 30 after Sonko's…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Thousands of Senegal opposition supporters join three-day protest

NEWS

BATE FELIX and NGOUDA DIONE OVER 10,000 supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko massed at a field in the capital Dakar on Tuesday, the first of three days of planned protests in support of the aspiring presidential candidate, who faces a libel case set to resume this week. The demonstrations are the latest expression of growing tensions in Senegal in the run-up to a 2024 election that could see President Macky Sall vie for a controversial third term, which the opposition says is unconstitutional. Sall, 61, has neither confirmed nor denied that he plans to run, amid widespread speculation.…

Feb

2023

By The African Mirror

Police fire tear gas at supporters of Senegal opposition leader Sonko

NEWS

NGOUDA DIONE POLICE fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko after he left the court in the capital Dakar where hearings are underway in a libel case against him. The demonstrations are the latest sign of unrest in the West African country where elections next year could pit Sonko against President Macky Sall, if the president seeks a third term, a move that opponents say is unconstitutional. Sall, 61, has not ruled out running in the election which the government said on Thursday would take place on February 25, 2024. Sonko supporters and…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Senegal politician face rape charges

NEWS

SENEGALESE opposition leader Ousmane Sonko will face trial on charges of rape and making death threats to a beauty salon employee in 2021, an investigating judge said in a letter. The judge referred the matter to Senegal's criminal chamber for trial in a letter dated January 17 and seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Sonko's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sonko has denied all the charges. A trial could jeopardize his intention to compete in the 2024 presidential election. The 48-year-old politician, who came third in the 2019 election, has announced he will run. It could…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal leader calls for more protests

NEWS

DIADIE BA SENEGAL opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has called for more protests against President Macky Sall after being indicted and released on bail over a rape charge that has sparked violent unrest across the country. Sonko's release was cheered by participants in the protests that have buffeted one of West Africa's most stable democracies in the past week, leaving at least eight dead in clashes with police, according to rights group Amnesty International. After being freed, Sonko asked supporters to continue demonstrations, but emphasised they should be peaceful. "We are not asking the people to go and unseat Macky Sall,"…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

EXPLAINER-Why protests are shaking one of Africa’s most stable democracies

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

EDWARD McALLISTER CLASHES between police and thousands of demonstrators protesting at the detention of Senegal's most prominent opposition leader have killed at least five people since last week. Ousmane Sonko was indicted and released on bail under judicial supervision on Monday but an opposition coalition has called for three days of protests from Monday. The unrest is the worst in a decade in Senegal, widely seen as one of West Africa's most stable democracies. Following is a look at what is driving the unrest. ACCUSATIONS OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE The demonstrations were ignited by Sonko's arrest last week, after an employee…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal opposition leader released on bail

NEWS

DIADIE BA SENEGAL opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was indicted and released on bail under judicial supervision yesterday, his lawyer said, as he faces a rape accusation that has sparked violent protests. Sonko's release could help ease tensions that have buffeted one of West Africa's most stable democracies in the past week, leaving at least eight dead in clashes between protesters and police, right group Amnesty International said yesterday. "He (Sonko) has been indicted for rape and death threats and placed under judicial supervision. He is going home," Sonko's lawyer, Cheikh Koureyssi Ba, told Reuters. Several hundred people gathered outside the…