An official statement issued on Thursday by Senegalese authorities reveals that the rallies planned by Ousmane Sonko’s party for Saturday and Sunday have been prohibited.
The rally scheduled for July 15 was intended to serve as the official nomination of Mr. Sonko as the candidate for his party, Pastef, in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. However, due to a recent conviction, the opponent is no longer eligible to run.
“There are indications that these gatherings constitute real risks of disturbing public order” , justified the governor of Dakar, Al Hassan Sall.
“Calls through social networks invite supporters of this political formation (Pastef) to already invest in the major markets and the main axes and places of gatherings,” said the press release.
According to the governor, there were incidents of individuals attacking public and private property, businesses, and other facilities during a call for a demonstration by Mr. Sonko in early June.
Supporters of Mr. Sonko have stated that their candidate’s inauguration will take place on Saturday at the Amadou Barry stadium in Guédiawaye, located in the suburbs of Dakar, rather than on a public road.
Mr. Sonko, President Macky Sall’s strongest opponent, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on Saturday, was sentenced to two years in prison in a corruption case a month ago. He claims to have been confined to his home in Dakar since May 28, alleging that he was “kidnapped” by security forces.
The sentencing resulted in the most severe unrest in Senegal in years, occurring in early June, which led to 16 deaths according to the authorities, and approximately thirty deaths according to the opposition.
The leader of the opposition party, Pastef, warned of “indescribable chaos” if he is prevented from running as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
President Macky Sall, who was elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2019, announced at the beginning of July that he would not seek a third term.