Ousmane Sonko is in prison, and running for election will be difficult. But the opposition figure is well received in Senegal with his populism. The government’s position on the coup in Niger gives him further impetus. By S. Ehlert.
Ousmane Sonko is in prison, and running for election will be difficult. But the opposition figure is well received in Senegal with his populism. The government’s position on the coup in Niger gives him further impetus.
The unrest in Senegal regularly sparks the case of one man: Ousmane Sonko. The 49-year-old has been on a hunger strike for three weeks to protest his imprisonment and the fact that he will no longer be able to stand in the 2024 presidential elections. This has not been legally clarified, but his name has been removed from the list of candidates. His party, the African Patriotic Senegalese for Labour, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), was dissolved by the authorities.
His deputy Madieye Mbodj said in an interview with Sonko’s goals ARD Studio Northwest Africa: “You can’t kill a vision when such a vision has gripped the masses, millions of Senegalese here and in Africa, also in the diaspora. I think we’ll continue with our project.” This project envisages a change of power, a replacement of the governing coalition.
“Radically change the relationship to the rest of the world”
The pro-Western Macky Sall has been president of Senegal since 2012 and is known for his rigid political style. He himself is no longer running, but seems to want to secure power for his coalition. Observers say there have been too many cases of corruption. The ruling elite fear that a new government could uncover them.
Sonko, the challenger, is believed to have won millions of followers with his populist, anti-French course. “With or without Sonko, we stay the course,” says Guy Marius, a confidante of Sonko and MP for the PASTEF party in the national parliament. “We share the same struggle to get out of the monetary prison of Senegal and Africa, the Franc CFA, and to radically change the way Senegal and Africa relate to the rest of the world.”
Senegal’s stability could tip over
The exit from the common currency franc CFA has long been a popular demand in West Africa. To create their own currency that has nothing to do with the former colonial power France and the euro. This is also one of the goals of Sonko and his followers. Sonko’s homophobic and misogyny tendencies have not diminished his popularity.
His confidante Guy Marius warns that Sonko’s supporters would not accept his imprisonment and possible death without hesitation: “No justice, no peace. Why? The arbitrary arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko is a burden on peace, stability and social cohesion in Senegal. ”
Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko is popular with Senegal’s youth. He is no longer allowed to stand in the 2024 presidential elections.
“Sacrifice of abuse of power”
Two years ago, Sonko was charged with rape, but the case ended in a verdict of “seducing youth.” Now he is accused of state endangerment, from promoting terrorism to incitement to violence.
Even experts who are critical of Sonko say that the judiciary is doing him injustice. But now there is a danger that Sonko, who was at times struggling with death, would become a martyr, says political analyst Mamadou Sy Albert in Dakar. “Ousmane Sonko is a symbol today: he’s a victim. A victim of abuse of power, he’s a victim of a rotten democracy and bad governance, and now he’s becoming a symbol for defending democracy.” That’s what led him to enjoy so much support.
So Senegal is at a crossroads. The fact that President Macky Sall is in favor of military action against the putschists in Niger during this fragile phase could fuel the protest mood even further. Because large parts of the population reject a military intervention in Niger.