Senegalese President Macky Sall on Wednesday asked the government to take all necessary measures to preserve and ensure public order following deadly protests over opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s trial, reported The BBC.
The clashes between Mr. Sonko’s supporters and the police have reportedly left at least one person dead and several injured. El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, head of communications for Sonko’s party, said over 400 people have been arrested so far.
According to an official statement released by the president’s office, Sall said the government should take all necessary measures to ensure the absolute security of goods and people.
Violence erupted in several Senegalese cities after Sonko’s court trial began on 16 March. It is feared that the case could likely make him ineligible to contest in the presidential elections scheduled for next year.
Sonko is being tried in court for allegedly defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, who is a member of the ruling party. The opposition leader, however, claims that the real purpose of the trial is to disqualify him from running for the presidency in next year’s elections.
He has been receiving medical treatment since he was allegedly sprayed with tear gas and manhandled last week when the authorities escorted him to a courthouse. A hearing in Sonko’s trial has been postponed to 30 March.
Earlier this week, Senegalese President Sall rejected the accusations that claim that he is not eligible to seek a third presidential term.
According to the opposition, the country’s Constitution prohibits Sall from running for the third time in the 2024 presidential election. The opposition claims that the president is seeking to set aside the constitution to seek a third term.
Notably, back in 2016, Senegal’s constitution was amended to reduce the duration of a presidential term to five years from seven. It clearly states that nobody is allowed to rule for more than two consecutive terms.
