Officially, the government of Senegal is only concerned with maintaining law and order in the capital Dakar. At least that’s how she describes the police actions in Ngor, a fishing and tourist district.
Opponents of the government around President Macky Sall see it differently. They accuse the police of using excessive force.
Videos online show security forces beating up defenseless civilians. Amnesty International complained on Tuesday evening via Twitter that the gendarmerie was blocking aid and support for those wounded in the street fighting. “The blockade of Ngor must be ended immediately.”
Hero of Young Men
The riots are just one of many signs of displeasure, especially young people in Senegal, who see themselves less and less represented by the government.
Now a court ruling against the opposition politician Ousmane Sonko, who is particularly popular with young men, is heating up the mood. The 48-year-old is the leader of the left-wing party “Patriots of Senegal”.
On Monday, Sonko was sentenced in Dakar to six months in prison and a fine of around 300,000 euros for defamation. This is reported by the news site “SeneWeb”. The court tightened a judgment from March.
Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang complained. Sonko had accused him of infidelity on television last year.
The verdict against the opposition politician could now mean that he will not be allowed to compete in next year’s presidential election for legal reasons. His plan to keep President Sall from a third term would then have failed.
Sonko can appeal the court’s decision. The lawyer also has to answer in court in another case for rape and death threats. Sonko rejects the allegations and criticizes the charges as politically motivated.
