Africa-Press – Senegal. Thousands of people took part on Friday in the rally held by the Mouvement des forces vives de la nation-F24 to protest against a possible candidacy of Macky Sall for a third term in the February presidential election. 2024 and demand the release of political detainees.
The demonstration authorized by the prefect of Dakar took place at Place de la Nation (formerly Place de l’Obélisque), from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., in front of a large crowd, according to images broadcast by television and platforms. of social networks.
Made up of around a hundred organizations, including political parties and civil society organizations, the F24 was launched on April 16 in Dakar in particular to oppose Macky Sall’s candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.
Several opposition leaders, including Khalifa Sall, Abdourahmane Diouf, Déthié Fall, Abdoul Mbaye, Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Cheikh Bamba Dièye, Papa Djibril Fall and Guy Marius Sagna took part in the rally. Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko did not participate.
« It has nothing to do with human rights »
The political leaders, taking turns speaking, notably noted « the non-right’ to a third candidacy of Macky Sall in the presidential election of 2024 ». They also rejected his call for a political dialogue, the objective of which, according to them, is to prevent the main opposition leaders from entering the running in the next presidential election.
El Hadji Malick Gackou, the leader of the Grand Party, for example spoke of a « dialogue-deal » alluding to the call for political dialogue launched by the Head of State on the eve of the celebration of the 63 rd anniversary of Senegal’s independence.
« I remain open to dialogue and consultation with all the living forces of the nation, with respect for the rule of law and the institutions of the Republic, for a united Senegal, a Senegal of peace, stability and national cohesion”, he declared in the traditional address to the nation.
The Head of State reiterated his openness to dialogue with all segments of the nation on April 22, on the occasion of the celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the month of Muslim fasting.
« Taking advantage of this day, I renew my appeal to all the living forces of the nation. A call for dialogue and consultation, respecting the rule of law, » he said.
Taking advantage of the rally organized by the F24, Alioune Ndao, a former prosecutor of the Court of Repression of Illicit Enrichment, called for the « release of detainees and [to] the organization of a free, democratic and transparent election « .
Numerous arrests took place during the demonstrations that took place on the sidelines of the defamation trial between the Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, an activist of the APR, the political party of the Head of State, and the opponent Ousmane Sonko, mayor of Ziguinchor ( south). The opposition considers those arrested as political prisoners, which Macky Sall vigorously contests.
« We break the law, we burn and we loot. Anyone who does this is arrested […] It has nothing to do with human rights. No one is detained in Senegal for their political opinions,” he said in an interview with private radio RFM on April 22.
Faced with the components of the F24 gathered at the Place de la Nation, the leader of the PÉNCÓO Democratic Alliance, Moussa Tine, pleaded for a « unity of the opposition », many of whose leaders are united by the coalition Yewwi Askan Wi.
« We are fighting for the same goal »
« We may have internal differences in our approaches but we are fighting for the same objective, against the candidacy of President Macky Sall », he declared in front of a raging crowd, which chanted the names of some leaders with force and enthusiasm when they spoke, where others were heckled.
The rally took place a few days after opponent Ousmane Sonko was given a six-month suspended prison sentence by the Dakar Court of Appeal for defamation and public insults. The leader of Pastef-Les patriotes was tried on appeal for defamation in a case opposing him to the Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Mame Mbaye Niang.
The Court of Appeal also upheld Mr. Sonko’s conviction at first instance to pay damages of 200 million CFA francs to the plaintiff.
Le leader de Pastef-Les patriotes et maire de Ziguinchor avait été condamné en première instance à deux mois de prison avec sursis et à payer 200 millions de francs CFA au plaignant.
Ousmane Sonko pourrait être convoqué de nouveau par la police judicaire ou un tribunal pour les faits de viol dont l’accuse Adji Sarr, une jeune dame.
Il est placé sous contrôle judiciaire depuis plus de deux ans, dans le cadre de l’instruction de cette affaire. Il nie les accusations de la plaignante.
Le F24 réunit ‘’112 entités’’, selon ses dirigeants. Il s’agit de partis politiques et de coalitions de partis, ainsi que d’organisations de la société civile, dont la RADDHO et la LSDH, deux des principales associations de défense des droits de l’homme au Sénégal.
Khalifa Sall, former mayor of Dakar, Ousmane Sonko, Abdourahmane Diouf, Professor Mary Teuw Niane, former Prime Minister Aminata Touré and former Minister Cheikh Bamba Dièye are among its leaders.
The coordinator of the Mouvement des forces vives de la nation-F24, Mamadou Mbodj, is a retired philosopher professor. Doctor of education sciences, Mr. Mbodj led the M23, a movement of political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations at the forefront of contesting the candidacy of Abdoulaye Wade in the presidential election. of 2012.
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