The candidacy of opponent Ousmane Sonko in the next presidential election was called into question on Friday in Senegal. As RFI reports, the country’s Supreme Court confirmed on January 5 the conviction for defamation of Ousmane Sonko, already imprisoned since the end of July for other charges, including calling for insurrection. The announcement was made by judge Abdourahmane Diouf and confirmed by two lawyers for the opponent, a declared presidential candidate and central figure in a standoff of more than two years with the State which gave rise to several episodes of deadly unrest.
“We confirmed the sentence and damages. Sonko lost all the way. It is now completely forbidden to participate in an election,” reacted state lawyer El Hadji Diouf after the decision.
300,000 euros in damages
Ousmane Sonko, 49, third in the 2019 presidential election, is being sued by Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang for “defamation, insults and forgery”.
After more than twelve hours of debate, the Supreme Court confirmed the sentence given on appeal of six months suspended prison sentence and 200 million CFA francs (300,000 euros) in damages, which strongly compromises the opponent’s chances. to participate in the presidential election. The Supreme Court’s decision closes this case.
Sonko’s camp had regained hope in a candidacy from their leader after a judge ordered his re-registration on the electoral lists in mid-December, confirming a decision rendered in October by the court of Ziguinchor (South) which had was overturned by the Supreme Court. He was inaugurated on Sunday by his coalition for the presidential election in a private place, behind closed doors, after the authorities banned the public meeting planned for Saturday.
Despite the administration’s refusal to provide Ousmane Sonko with the necessary documents, the opponent submitted his application to the Constitutional Council. His representative must appear before the jurisdiction’s sponsorship control commission on Friday. On Wednesday, this body validated the file of Habib Sy, a candidate from the same political side as Ousmane Sonko, who promised to withdraw if the leader of his party can run.
” Match point “
“This trial is the match point. We are bound by deadlines,” Me Cheikh Koureyssi Ba, one of the opponent’s counsel, declared at the hearing. “This affair is an operation of political liquidation of an adversary, with a timetable where we count the days to say that such and such a person will not participate in the presidential election. Mr. President, I hope that this political order will not pass before you,” said Me Massokhna Kane, closing the pleadings of Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers.
In another procedure, Ousmane Sonko was found guilty on June 1 of debauchery of a minor and sentenced to two years in prison. The opponent did not appear at the trial and was convicted in absentia.