Riots spark after the Senegalese government has dissolved the Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (Pastef), a major opposition party led by charismatic figure Ousmane Sonko. The decision came just hours after Sonko announced that a judge had ordered his arrest. The move further escalates tensions ahead of the 2024 presidential election in Senegal.
Sonko, widely popular among the country’s youth, has been seen as a threat to the ruling party since he secured a strong third place in the 2019 presidential race. However, he now faces new criminal charges, including conspiring against the state and calling for insurrection, which some of his supporters believe are attempts to prevent him from running for president again. These has led to a series of recent clashes with police and city burning such as that below.
— ThePanAfricanWorld.com (@PanAfricanWrld) August 3, 2023
As a response to the situation, the Senegalese government restricted mobile internet services, citing the “dissemination of hateful and subversive messages on social networks.” This move further raised concerns about the country’s democratic history and the upcoming presidential election in a nation known for its democratic values and regional leadership in diplomacy.
Amid the controversy, Sonko expressed his frustration on social media, claiming that he had been unjustly placed under a committal order. He remains defiant, vowing to submit to God’s will if the Senegalese people choose not to rally behind him against President Macky Sall’s regime.
In the aftermath of Sonko’s arrest, the interior minister issued a statement announcing the dissolution of the Pastef party, blaming its leaders for inciting violence and unrest during protests in June following Sonko’s conviction on charges of “corrupting youth.”
— ThePanAfricanWorld.com (@PanAfricanWrld) August 3, 2023
The dissolution of the opposition party was met with criticism, with former prime minister Aminata Touré calling it an “unprecedented setback” in Senegal’s democratic history. Despite this setback, Sonko’s party remains resilient, with their communications director affirming that they cannot dissolve the party’s spirit.
While Sonko is currently detained in Sebikotane prison, just outside the capital Dakar, he could still run for president in the 2024 election. However, verification of this claim is pending.
The situation in Senegal remains tense, and the dissolution of the opposition party raises serious questions about the country’s political landscape and the forthcoming presidential election. As the international community keeps a watchful eye on Senegal, the future of its democracy and the potential ramifications of recent actions hang in the balance.
