Sonko election bid in doubt as Senegal court increases sentence
1 year, 7 months ago

Sonko election bid in doubt as Senegal court increases sentence

Al Jazeera  

The ruling is the latest twist in a saga that has fuelled unrest in Senegal, a usually stable state in a restive region. A Senegalese court has handed opposition figure Ousmane Sonko a six-month suspended sentence in an appeal of a defamation case that could jeopardise his run for president next year. Baboucar Cisse, a lawyer for the minister, told reporters the sentence would rule Sonko out of the 2024 presidential vote if confirmed following a six-day period for appeals. A spokesman for Sonko’s party, Ousseynou Ly, and supporters on social media also said the ruling would scupper his bid if upheld, but the politician’s lawyers left the court without responding to questions. Sonko failed to turn up to Monday’s proceedings, after warning he would no longer respond to court summons without guarantees for his safety.

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History of this topic

Swiss court finds Gambian ex-minister guilty of crimes against humanity
7 months, 1 week ago

Swiss court finds Gambian ex-minister guilty of crimes against humanity

Al Jazeera  

Switzerland’s top criminal court has sentenced Ousman Sonko, a former interior minister of The Gambia, to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. In its verdict on Wednesday, the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, southern Switzerland, said Sonko was guilty of intentional homicide, torture and false imprisonment during former President Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule over the country. Rights groups …

Senegal awaits the outcome of peaceful presidential election, following months of unrest
9 months ago

Senegal awaits the outcome of peaceful presidential election, following months of unrest

New Indian Express  

DAKAR: Senegalese anxiously awaited the results of a presidential election Monday, following months of uncertainty and unrest that tested the country's reputation as a stable democracy in a region rife with coups. Analysts say a second round is likely, between opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, the candidate for the governing party. In the capital, …

Top Senegal opposition leader vows to help win March 24 election, speaking out after prison release
9 months, 1 week ago

Top Senegal opposition leader vows to help win March 24 election, speaking out after prison release

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Top opposition leader Ousmane Sonko vowed Friday to help his team win Senegal’s March 24 presidential election even though he is barred from the ballot, jumping into the campaign in his first public address since being freed from prison a day earlier. Ousmane Sonko’s release late Thursday after months behind bars triggered a mix of jubilation and …

Senegal’s top opposition leaders released from prison as elections loom
9 months, 1 week ago

Senegal’s top opposition leaders released from prison as elections loom

Al Jazeera  

Freedom for Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye could dramatically alter the election race. Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison, triggering jubilant celebrations outside the prison as well as across Dakar, the capital. State broadcaster RTS reported Sonko was freed along with key ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye late on Thursday. Their release comes after a …

Senegal’s top opposition leader freed from prison ahead of presidential election this month
9 months, 1 week ago

Senegal’s top opposition leader freed from prison ahead of presidential election this month

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison ahead of the presidential election later this month, triggering jubilant celebrations across the country’s capital. Sonko, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election, is popular among young people and his fiery campaign to tackle corruption has resonated in a country with economic hardship. Sall himself …

Senegal’s leader postpones Feb. 25 presidential vote, citing controversies over candidate lists
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Senegal’s leader postpones Feb. 25 presidential vote, citing controversies over candidate lists

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese President Macky Sall on Saturday postponed presidential elections scheduled for Feb. 25, citing controversies over the disqualification of some candidates and allegations of corruption in election-related cases. The controversies over the candidates “could seriously harm the credibility of the election by creating the seeds of pre- and post-electoral litigation,” Sall said without announcing a new date …

Senegal’s president postpones election dogged by controversies
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Senegal’s president postpones election dogged by controversies

LA Times  

Senegal President Macky Sall postponed elections that were scheduled this month, citing controversies over some candidates’ disqualifications. Senegalese President Macky Sall on Saturday postponed presidential elections scheduled for Feb. 25, citing controversies over the disqualification of some candidates and allegations of corruption in election-related cases. The controversies over the candidates “could seriously harm the credibility of the election by creating …

Two opposition leaders in Senegal are excluded from the final list of presidential candidates
11 months ago

Two opposition leaders in Senegal are excluded from the final list of presidential candidates

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s highest election authority has excluded two top opposition leaders from the final list of candidates for the West African nation’s presidential election next month. The list published Saturday by Senegal’s Constitutional Council named 20 candidates, including Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who has the backing of outgoing President Macky Sall and is seen as a major contender. …

Who is Ousman Sonko, the former Gambian politician on trial in Geneva?
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Who is Ousman Sonko, the former Gambian politician on trial in Geneva?

Al Jazeera  

Sonko is the highest-ranking official under former dictator Yahya Jammeh, to stand trial for widespread rights abuses. The trial of Ousman Sonko, a former interior minister of The Gambia began Monday in a federal court in Switzerland. It is one of a handful of cases where individuals accused of crimes against humanity committed under the leadership of the former Gambian …

Senegal’s opposition leader faces another setback in presidential race after application is rejected
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Senegal’s opposition leader faces another setback in presidential race after application is rejected

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s top opposition leader on Friday suffered major setbacks in his quest to contest the presidency when a top court upheld the defamation conviction against him and the Constitutional Council rejected his application to be a presidential candidate on the basis that it was incomplete. “From the outset, the government has shown its willingness to invalidate Ousmane …

Presidential race setback for Senegal opposition leader after court rulings
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Presidential race setback for Senegal opposition leader after court rulings

Al Jazeera  

Senegal’s top opposition leader has suffered major setbacks in his quest to contest the presidency after the Supreme Court upheld a defamation conviction against him and the Constitutional Council later rejected his application to be a presidential candidate. “From the outset, the government has shown its willingness to invalidate Ousmane Sonko’s candidacy.” Ly slammed the Council’s decision as an “electoral …

Senegal’s opposition leader could run for president after a court overturns a ruling barring his bid
1 year ago

Senegal’s opposition leader could run for president after a court overturns a ruling barring his bid

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was ordered to be reinstated on the electoral list Thursday, which could allow him to run for president in February’s election. The court of first instance’s decision overturned a November ruling by the Supreme Court that effectively barred the detained opposition leader’s bid to run. Ousmane Sonko will be reinstated on the …

Senegal court orders reinstatement of Sonko on election list
1 year ago

Senegal court orders reinstatement of Sonko on election list

Al Jazeera  

The popular opposition leader has been in jail since July, when he was also struck off Senegal’s electoral roll. A Senegalese court has ordered the reinstatement of jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on the electoral register, a ruling that could pave the way for him to run in a February presidential election, his lawyer Cire Cledor Ly said on Thursday. …

Ruling by Senegal’s highest court blocks jailed opposition leader Sonko from running for president
1 year, 1 month ago

Ruling by Senegal’s highest court blocks jailed opposition leader Sonko from running for president

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s highest court on Friday effectively barred detained opposition leader Ousmane Sonko from running for president early next year by overturning a decision that would have reinstated him to the West African country’s voter rolls. Senegal’s government formally dissolved Sonko’s political party earlier this year and canceled his voter registration after he was convicted of corrupting youth. …

Senegalese opposition leader Sonko sent back to prison after weeks in hospital during hunger strike
1 year, 1 month ago

Senegalese opposition leader Sonko sent back to prison after weeks in hospital during hunger strike

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has returned to prison after weeks of undergoing medical treatment in the hospital during a hunger strike to protest his detention on charges he says are politically motivated. The announcement comes just days before Senegal’s Supreme Court is due to rule on whether Sonko can take part in the upcoming February election …

Senegal electoral commission says main opposition leader Sonko should be given sponsorship forms
1 year, 1 month ago

Senegal electoral commission says main opposition leader Sonko should be given sponsorship forms

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s electoral commission on Tuesday asked that sponsorship forms be given to main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, whose candidacy for the upcoming presidential election has been called into question over the past year amid a series of criminal charges. The ECOWAS Court of Justice said that it would render its verdict next week on Senegal’s dissolution of …

Senegalese opposition leader Sonko regains consciousness but remains on hunger strike, lawyer says
1 year, 1 month ago

Senegalese opposition leader Sonko regains consciousness but remains on hunger strike, lawyer says

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — A lawyer for Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said Thursday that the detained politician had regained consciousness but remains “in a very precarious condition” on hunger strike. Sonko, a popular figure with young Senegalese who placed third in the last presidential election, first began refusing food after he was placed in detention in late July. Branco told …

Two killed in Senegal in protests over arrest of opposition figure Sonko
1 year, 4 months ago

Two killed in Senegal in protests over arrest of opposition figure Sonko

Al Jazeera  

West African country’s interior ministry says it is taking measures to ‘preserve peace and tranquillity in the country’. Two people have been killed in Senegal in protests sparked by the arrest of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, according to the country’s interior ministry. Senegal’s Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome on Monday announced that the government had dissolved Sonko’s Patriots of …

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko charged with fomenting insurrection
1 year, 4 months ago

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko charged with fomenting insurrection

Al Jazeera  

New charges follow opposition leader’s arrest on Friday and are not related to an alleged rape case that sparked deadly riots in June. Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been charged with plotting an insurrection and other new offences, according to the country’s public prosecutor. Abdou Karim Diop, Senegal’s public prosecutor, told reporters the new charges stem from comments Sonko …

Senegal’s opposition leader charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrection
1 year, 4 months ago

Senegal’s opposition leader charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrection

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrections among other offenses, the public prosecutor said Saturday. The announcement comes weeks after Sonko was convicted on separate charges of corrupting youth and sentenced to two years in prison, which ignited deadly protests across the nation. Prosecutor Abdou Karim Diop …

Top Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko arrested: Lawyer
1 year, 4 months ago

Top Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko arrested: Lawyer

Al Jazeera  

The firebrand politician and presidential candidate has faced a number of legal woes in recent years. Top Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been arrested, one of his lawyers told Al Jazeera. Sonko had long called for President Macky Sall to bow out of the 2024 election publicly, accusing Sall’s government of bringing court cases against the opposition politician in …

Senegal opposition leader Sonko's lawyer files a lawsuit in France and calls for an ICC inquiry
1 year, 6 months ago

Senegal opposition leader Sonko's lawyer files a lawsuit in France and calls for an ICC inquiry

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A lawyer for embattled Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko filed …

Senegal opposition leader Sonko’s lawyer files a lawsuit in France and calls for an ICC inquiry
1 year, 6 months ago

Senegal opposition leader Sonko’s lawyer files a lawsuit in France and calls for an ICC inquiry

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — A lawyer for embattled Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko filed a criminal complaint in a French court on Thursday and also called for the International Criminal Court to investigate the Senegalese government’s recent deadly crackdown on protesters. It names Senegal’s president, interior minister, the head of police, along with more than 100 other Senegalese and French officials, …

The sexual assault case behind Senegal’s unrest
1 year, 6 months ago

The sexual assault case behind Senegal’s unrest

Al Jazeera  

Senegal, a beacon of stability and democracy in West Africa, has been rocked by deadly protests. Clashes erupted in Senegal after opposition figure Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on June 1. He was accused of raping a woman who worked in a massage parlor; the court cleared Sonko of rape but found him guilty of a …

Death toll mounts as unrest flares in Senegal
1 year, 6 months ago

Death toll mounts as unrest flares in Senegal

Al Jazeera  

The death toll in the Senegal violence has risen to 15 as supporters of convicted opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and police continued to clash, the government said on Saturday. Sonko came third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is popular with the country’s youth. Sonko is considered President Macky Sall’s main competition and has urged Sall to state publicly that …

Death toll from Senegal protests rises to 15 as opposition supporters clash with police
1 year, 6 months ago

Death toll from Senegal protests rises to 15 as opposition supporters clash with police

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — The number of people killed in days of clashes between Senegalese police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has now risen to 15, including two security officers, the government said on Saturday. France’s ministry for Europe and foreign affairs said it was “extremely concerned by the violence” and called for a resolution to this crisis, in …

Senegal opposition leader Sonko convicted of corrupting youth, acquitted of rape
1 year, 6 months ago

Senegal opposition leader Sonko convicted of corrupting youth, acquitted of rape

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was convicted Thursday of corrupting youth but acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlor and making death threats against her. Under Senegalese law, his conviction would bar Sonko from running in next year’s election, said Bamba Cisse, another defense lawyer. “The verdict cements the criticism that …

Ousmane Sonko sentenced: Why are tensions flaring in Senegal?
1 year, 6 months ago

Ousmane Sonko sentenced: Why are tensions flaring in Senegal?

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of opposition figure denounce charges and two-year sentence as a ploy to prevent him from running in presidential elections next year. Sonko’s supporters threw rocks at riot police and set fire to buses on Thursday after a court sentenced him in absentia for “corrupting youth”. After Thursday’s verdict, clashes broke out between police and protesters, buses were set alight …

Nine dead as protests rock Senegal after Sonko jail sentence
1 year, 6 months ago

Nine dead as protests rock Senegal after Sonko jail sentence

Al Jazeera  

Interior Minister Antoine Diome said nine protesters died in the capital Dakar and the southern town of Ziguinchor. At least nine people were killed in Senegal in clashes between riot police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko following a court sentencing him to two years in jail, the country’s interior ministry said. “We have noted, with regret, violence that …

At least 9 dead in clashes between police and opposition leader’s supporters in Senegal
1 year, 6 months ago

At least 9 dead in clashes between police and opposition leader’s supporters in Senegal

LA Times  

Clashes between police and supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko left nine people dead, the government said Friday, with authorities issuing a blanket ban on the use of several social media platforms in the aftermath of the violence. Under Senegalese law, his conviction would bar Sonko from running in next year’s election, said Bamba Cisse, another defense lawyer. “The …

Senegal’s Sonko can be arrested ‘at any time’: Justice minister
1 year, 6 months ago

Senegal’s Sonko can be arrested ‘at any time’: Justice minister

Al Jazeera  

Violence ongoing after Senegal court sentences opposition leader Ousmane Sonko for ‘corrupting youth’, clears him of charges of rape and issuing death threats. Protests have erupted in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, after a court sentenced the leading opposition figure Ousmane Sonko to two years in jail for “corrupting youth”, dealing a blow to his chances of running for president next year. …

Trial for Senegal’s main opposition leader ends, verdict expected next week
1 year, 7 months ago

Trial for Senegal’s main opposition leader ends, verdict expected next week

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — A highly-anticipated trial of Senegal’s main opposition leader ended Tuesday evening with a verdict expected next week, a court said Wednesday. The 20-hour hearing included testimonies from Sonko’s accuser, a woman working at a massage parlor, and a dozen witnesses. Last week one police officer was killed and several protestors were injured during clashes between security forces …

Senegal opposition leader’s trial postponed after day of violence
1 year, 7 months ago

Senegal opposition leader’s trial postponed after day of violence

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — The rape trial of Senegal’s main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko that was due to open on Tuesday in the capital has been postponed until May 23. Police and Sonko’s supporters clashed Monday in the southern city of Ziguinchor where youths threw stones and used tree trunks to barricade streets leading to Sonko’s house. The judge of the …

Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s rape trial adjourned
1 year, 7 months ago

Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s rape trial adjourned

Al Jazeera  

Ousmane Sonko, who denies charges, does not turn up for court appearance in Dakar. The trial of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko for alleged rape has been immediately adjourned for a week, after opening in his absence at a court in the capital, Dakar. “Sonko says he’s not attending court because his rights are not being respected,” Al Jazeera’s Nicolas …

Senegal sees unrest ahead of opposition leader’s rape trial; officer hit by police vehicle killed
1 year, 7 months ago

Senegal sees unrest ahead of opposition leader’s rape trial; officer hit by police vehicle killed

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — A police officer died and several demonstrators were injured Monday during clashes between security forces and supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko in his hometown, according to an interior ministry statement and media reports. The unrest in Ziguinchor, a town in southern Senegal, came a day before the expected start of Sonko’s rape trial in the …

Prosecutors in Senegal appeal opposition leader’s sentence
1 year, 8 months ago

Prosecutors in Senegal appeal opposition leader’s sentence

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Prosecutors in Senegal who had sought two years in prison for opposition leader Ousmane Sonko have filed an appeal after he was given a much lighter, two-month suspended sentence for his conviction on libel charges in a case his supporters say was politically motivated. The outcome of Thursday’s verdict allows Sonko to run for president next year …

Senegal’s top opposition leader found guilty of libel
1 year, 8 months ago

Senegal’s top opposition leader found guilty of libel

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s top opposition leader has been given a two-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of libel. they decided to force it but they know that it’s not normal,” El Malick Ndiaye, national secretary in charge of communication for Sonko’s Pastef Les Patriotes party, told The Associated Press. Sonko finished third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and …

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko given two-month suspended term for libel
1 year, 8 months ago

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko given two-month suspended term for libel

Al Jazeera  

A court in Senegal has handed down a two-month suspended prison sentence to leading opposition politician Ousmane Sonko for libel, his lawyers said. “The opposition has always said the justice system serves the purpose of eliminating the opposition that could be rivals to the president, but the ruling party says the verdict shows that democracy is thriving in Senegal,” Haque …

Senegal opposition leader trial kickstarts rocky election season
1 year, 8 months ago

Senegal opposition leader trial kickstarts rocky election season

Al Jazeera  

Opposition leader Sonko’s trial on Thursday could mark the start of political unrest or strengthen the incumbent president’s grip, analysts say. “The ongoing tensions have led to a worsening of the situation, fueling political violence as the opposition rallies around the Sonko…case,” said Alioune Tine, Senegalese political analyst and founder of think tank AfrikaJom Centre. A former tax inspector who …

Sonko court appearance sparks unrest in Senegal’s capital
1 year, 9 months ago

Sonko court appearance sparks unrest in Senegal’s capital

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Authorities forcibly removed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko from his car Thursday and escorted him to a court appearance, blocking his supporters from following him and sparking unrest in parts of the capital. Police fired tear gas in several parts of Dakar to disperse protesters on the third day of demonstrations in support of Sonko, who finished …

Unrest in Senegal as police clash with opposition supporters
1 year, 9 months ago

Unrest in Senegal as police clash with opposition supporters

Al Jazeera  

Ousmane Sonko, widely supported by Senegalese youth, is facing a civil libel case filed against him by Senegal’s tourism minister for alleged defamation and public insults. Police and demonstrators clashed in Senegal’s capital Dakar on Thursday before a court case involving opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who is widely supported by many of the West African country’s youth. Law enforcement officers …

Senegal opposition leader Sonko to face trial over rape charges
1 year, 11 months ago

Senegal opposition leader Sonko to face trial over rape charges

Al Jazeera  

Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s supporters fear the case is an attempt by Senegal’s president to remove a potentially popular rival. Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko will face trial on charges of rape and making death threats to a beauty salon employee in 2021, an investigating judge has said. Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s supporters fear the case is an …

Senegal opposition chief to appear in court over rape allegation
3 years, 9 months ago

Senegal opposition chief to appear in court over rape allegation

Al Jazeera  

Summons came after Senegal’s parliament voted to strip Sonko of legal immunity. The head of Senegal’s leading opposition party says he will appear before a judge to answer questions over rape allegations. The summons for his appearance on Wednesday came after Senegal’s parliament voted late last week to strip Sonko of his legal immunity, paving the way for a police …

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