Dakar, Senegal – (African Boulevard News) – Senegal’s opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has reiterated his call for nationwide protests following the Senegalese government’s decision to challenge his candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections. The opposition figure accused the government of using dirty tricks to prevent him from running.
Sonko’s candidacy was threatened after the government questioned the validity of the signatures on his nomination petition. However, Sonko has dismissed the allegations, saying that they are politically motivated.
“We cannot say that the State of Senegal has initiated a procedure just to prevent a potential presidential candidate from running, it does not make sense since the State of Senegal has not initiated,” said Sonko.
Sonko’s supporters have also voiced their concerns and called for peaceful protests. This is not the first time that Sonko has called for protests. He led a series of protests in 2019, calling for electoral reforms and the resignation of government officials. The protests ended in violence, with several people being killed.
The government has warned that any protests will be met with a heavy-handed response. However, Sonko has dismissed the government’s warnings and called on the people of Senegal to exercise their constitutional right to protest.
“Senegalese people have the right to protest peacefully,” said Sonko. “We will not allow the government to suppress our voices and prevent us from exercising our democratic rights.”
The country’s presidential election is scheduled for February 2024. Sonko is one of the leading contenders, and his candidacy is seen as a threat to incumbent President Macky Sall. However, Sonko’s eligibility is now in doubt, and his supporters fear that the government is using underhanded tactics to prevent him from running.
In conclusion, Sonko’s call for protests is likely to increase tensions in Senegal. The country has a history of political violence, and the government’s heavy-handed response could spark further unrest. The international community is closely watching the situation in Senegal, and there are concerns that the country could slide into chaos if the government does not address the opposition’s concerns.
