Senegal: Opponent Ousmane Sonko, on hunger strike, hospitalized according to collaborators and lawyer

AFRICA The Senegalese opponent has been on hunger strike since his arrest after two years of arm wrestling with power

Opponent to the power in place, Ousmane Sonko, mayor of Ziguinchor. — SEYLLOU

The Senegalese opponent Ousmane Sonko, on hunger strike since his arrest after two years of arm wrestling with power, has been arrested. admitted to the hospital emergency room on Sunday at Dakar, indicated collaborators and one of his lawyers. The Pastef, the party of Mr. Sonko dissolved by the authorities last Monday, announced his admission to the emergency room in a press release. Two spokespersons and one of Ousmane Sonko's lawyers, Me Ciré Clédor Ly, confirmed, without commenting on his condition.

Arrested; end of July

The Pastef said it holds the authorities “responsible” of his health. The authorities have not commented on the subject. Sonko, 49, started a hunger strike on July 30, two days after his arrest. Declared candidate; to the presidential election of February 2024, he delivers a fierce showdown; in power since 2021 and his questioning by the courts in a sex scandal which he denounces as a plot to eliminate him politically.

After several episodes of deadly popular protest and two successive convictions for defamation and “youth corruption” é on Monday under various charges, including appeal to insurrection, association of criminals in connection with a terrorist enterprise and attack on safety of the state. The authorities have announced the dissolution of his party on the same day.

Application now unrealistic

Sonko's candidacy for the presidential election therefore seems unrealistic. His lawyers support on their side; that he remains eligible. In the matter of manners in particular, they assure that, Sonko having refused to to attend the trial and having been condemned in absentia, the texts stipulate that he must be retried. to now that he has been arrested.

Me Ciré Clédor Ly has confirmed; that Sonko had written from prison to justice last week to signify that he did not accept his conviction, a necessary condition according to his lawyers for the judgment to be annulled; and that a new trial takes place. Prosecutor Abdou Karim Diop had refuted the day after his arrest that it brought down the contumacy.