Africa-Press – Senegal. The leader of Pastef-Les patriotes addressed his militants and the Muslim community, on the occasion of the celebration of Tabaski, the sacrifice of Abraham, inviting them to continue with him his « project » of conquest of power.
« Some were with us but out of fear or for other reasons, they withdrew. That shouldn’t stop us from continuing on our way, » said Mr. Sonko, speaking in Wolof.
“Those who are carrying out this project with me are selfless people,” he added in a recording that has gone viral, notably on his Facebook page.
Addressing the public for the first time since the violent demonstrations that took place in Senegal from June 1 to 3, Ousmane Sonko dwelt on the origin of the celebration of Eid el-Kebir, the sacrifice of Abraham, which he commemorated this Wednesday at the same time as some of the faithful in Senegal.
Other Muslims will celebrate Tabaski on Thursday.
The leader of Pastef-Les patriotes encouraged Muslims, Senegalese in general, to help each other better.
Deprived by the security forces of visits from his relatives, his activists and his lawyers for several weeks, Mr. Sonko declared having received numerous gifts on the occasion of Tabaski, including several rams, one coming, according to him, from Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké, one of the guides of the Mouride community.
The mayor of Ziguinchor (south) spoke of the pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam, in Saudi Arabia, and said that he hoped that the Lord would answer the prayers of the thousands of Senegalese currently on Saudi soil for the fifth pillar of the Islam.
Likewise, he invited the Senegalese to « avoid tensions » and to « pray for the stability » of Senegal.
Ousmane Sonko has made an appointment with his compatriots, in the coming days, for a new declaration.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 16 people were killed in the demonstrations that took place after the opponent was sentenced to two years in prison for “youth corruption”.
Amnesty International, whose office for West and Central Africa is based in Dakar, announced the death of 23 people in the violence, the party of Mr. Sonko estimating that the clashes which occurred between the 1st and the June 3 left 29 or even 30 dead.
The sentence required against the opponent, who was tried for rape and death threats against Miss Adji Sarr, is likely to prevent him from running in the 2024 presidential election for which he declared himself a candidate, say his lawyers based on the Electoral Code.
Public administration services, banks, road and university infrastructure, town halls, cars and other public or private property were ransacked or burned during the demonstrations in early June.
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