Protests have erupted in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, following the conviction of opposition leader Ousmane Sanko. Tragically, during the protests on Thursday, nine people lost their lives, according to a report from Voice of America. The country’s Interior Minister, Antoine Diome, expressed regret over the violence and destruction of public and private property in Dakar and Ziguinchor during a national television address.
The court judgment in Senegal, as reported by Peoples Gazette on Thursday, resulted in Mr. Sanko’s imprisonment for two years on charges of “corrupting youth.” Additionally, he was banned from participating in the country’s presidential elections in 2024. The court acquitted Mr. Sanko of the charges of rape but convicted him of “corrupting youth.” The allegations of rape and death threats were made against him by a 20-year-old massage parlour worker in 2021.
Mr. Sanko, the leader of the PASTEF-Patriots party, has consistently claimed that the charges were politically motivated since they were first brought against him in 2021. As a vocal critic of President Macky Sally, he is widely regarded as President Sall’s most formidable opponent in the upcoming election. Outside the court, Mr. Sanko’s attorneys told reporters that the conviction was orchestrated to prevent him from running against President Sall in 2024.
In response to his case, the popular opposition leader called for mass protests earlier this week, which have now resulted in tragic loss of life and significant property damage.
