Africa-Press – Senegal. One hundred and forty-one personalities from various sectors of activity and from several countries are calling on the President of the Republic, Macky Sall, “for the automatic release of the opponent Ousmane Sonko” and “ other people detained for […] their opinions”, as well as the withdrawal of the decree with which Pastef-Les patriotes was dissolved.
These personalities, including politicians, academics, lawyers, magistrates, journalists, human rights activists and professionals from other sectors, have published a forum in which they make this call.
“We […] call on Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, to […] give the necessary instructions to his Minister of Justice, so that the chief prosecutors implement an emergency procedure to obtain the on release from office of Ousmane Sonko ”, write the signatories of the tribune.
Also concerning the opponent and mayor of Ziguinchor (south), they call on the Senegalese head of state to strive to « preserve his life » and to « respect his civil rights ».
Les signataires du texte, dont fait partie le professeur Serigne Diop, ancien ministre de la Justice du Sénégal, réclament « la mise en liberté provisoire des autres personnes détenues pour avoir exprimé librement leurs opinions et mené des activités politiques, conformément aux droits garantis par la Constitution ».
They call on Macky Sall to « withdraw the decree dissolving Pastef, for a return to a constitutional order guaranteeing full pluralism » in Senegal.
“Conflicts and the decline of democracy”
“We urge President Macky Sall to implement these measures, in order to restore peace, unity and national harmony, in a sub-regional space marked by conflicts and the decline of democracy”, added Mr. Diop and his co-authors.
Authors of the forum « individually or on behalf of collectives or associations », these « citizens of Senegal, Africa and around the world » say they are « concerned about the preservation of the rule of law and concerned about the deterioration of the political and social climate” in Senegal.
They claim to be concerned about the « threats to civil harmony in Senegal » and « attached to peace, stability and the preservation of the country’s democratic achievements ».
The authors of the column say they are « deeply attached to the respect and protection of the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution of Senegal and international human rights treaties ».
« The reasons for his arrest [and] his incarceration have evolved […] He is first accused of stealing a mobile phone, then follow other very serious charges », they observe, speaking of Ousmane Sonko.
“His party […] was dissolved by decree, while he has participated in political life since its creation, enjoys a large representation in the National Assembly and leads dozens of local authorities”, underline the authors of text.
They recall that “at least three people were killed following protest demonstrations against his arrest, which broke out [in] the country”. “Mass arrests of party activists and supporters, including elected officials, have taken place and most of those arrested are charged with serious offenses and placed in detention. »
“His health has seriously deteriorated”
Ousmane Sonko and several militants or sympathizers of Pastef-Les patriotes placed in detention observe a hunger strike.
“His health seriously deteriorated, and he was admitted to the hospital emergency room on Sunday August 6, 2023”, recall Serigne Diop and the other authors of the forum.
Professor Alioune Sall, former international judge, Mamadou Ismaïla Konaté, lawyer and former Minister of Justice of Mali, Reed Brody, lawyer at the bar of New York (United States of America), his Senegalese colleague Abdoulaye Tine, the Burkinabè Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara, lawyer and former minister, former prosecutor Alioune Ndao and former Prime Minister of Senegal Aminata Touré signed the text.
Former Gambian Minister Demba Ali Jawo, Issa Ndiaye, former Minister of Education of Mali, Ivorian deputy Michel Gbagbo, Mamadou Lamine Diallo, deputy and vice-president of the National Assembly of Senegal, journalists Ibrahima Lissa Faye and Mame Gor Ngom, Professor Boubacar Diop, known as Buuba, are among the authors of the forum.
Ousmane Sonko was arrested on July 28. Three days later, he was charged with calling for insurrection, criminal association, undermining state security, and conspiracy against state authority.
The opponent placed under arrest warrant on July 31 is also accused by the Dakar prosecutor’s office of acts and maneuvers likely to compromise public security and create serious political unrest, criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise and flight.
On the day of his indictment, the Minister of the Interior, Antoine Diome, announced the dissolution of his party.
« Pastef […] has frequently called his supporters to insurrectional movements, » argued Mr. Diome, which the leaders of the said political formation and its activists continue to deny.
Mr Sonko is ranked third in the 2019 presidential election, behind former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck and Macky Sall, who won re-election. Pastef-The Patriots and its allies constitute one of the main parliamentary groups in the legislature elected on July 31, 2022.
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