In a press release, the Senegalese government denounces the demonstrations against the conviction of Ousmane Sonko. “Aggressions” whose “objective was undoubtedly to sow terror and bring our country to a standstill”.
The Senegalese government announced on Wednesday evening “immediate judicial investigations” into the unrest “of unprecedented violence” that occurred in the country after the conviction of opponent Ousmane Sonko and left at least 16 people dead last week.
These investigations aim to “shed light on the responsibilities linked to these events” which occurred between June 1 and 3 in Dakar and in the provinces after the conviction of Ousmane Sonko in a sex scandal, says a press release published after a government meeting.
The government condemns these “extremely serious attacks against the State, the Republic and the institutions” whose “objective was undoubtedly to sow terror and bring our country to a standstill”.
“Protecting the Nation and the State”
President Macky Sall asked the government to take steps to assist “persons and entities who have suffered harm” and reiterated “his determination to protect the Nation and the State” in this West African country.
Between June 1 and 3, Senegal experienced its worst troubles in years after opponent Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison in a sex scandal. This conviction of a personality popular in youth and underprivileged circles makes him in the current state ineligible for the presidential election of 2024.
Ousmane Sonko has continued to cry out for the conspiracy of power to exclude him from the election, which the power refutes. The sentence sparked clashes that left at least 16 people dead and considerable damage. It gave rise to demonstrations abroad.
Source: BFM TV
