Dakar, Senegal – (African Boulevard News) – In a worrying turn of events, internet access in Senegal has been restricted as opposition leader Ousmane Sonko faces new charges and extended detention. The move has sparked criticism from his party, PASTEF, and raised concerns about freedom of expression in the country.
Sonko, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election, has been a vocal critic of President Macky Sall’s government. He was arrested in March 2021 on charges of disturbing public order after his supporters clashed with the police. Since then, he has faced a series of legal challenges, and his detention has been repeatedly extended.
The latest charges against Sonko include rape and death threats. The government alleges that Sonko raped a woman in February, an accusation he vehemently denies. Sonko’s lawyer, Cheikh Khoureyssi Ba, described the charges as politically motivated, aimed at silencing the opposition leader.
PASTEF, the political party founded by Sonko, has criticized the government’s move and called for international intervention. The party views these new charges as an attempt to stifle dissent and undermine democracy in Senegal. Speaking at a press conference, PASTEF spokesperson, Abdoulaye Yakhine Diop, declared, “This is a clear violation of our democratic rights. We will not be silenced.”
In response to the growing unrest, the Senegalese government has restricted access to social media platforms and messaging apps. This move has drawn condemnation from human rights groups and activists who argue that it infringes upon the right to freedom of expression. Many Senegalese citizens have taken to the streets in protest, demanding the immediate release of Sonko and the restoration of internet access.
The restrictions on internet access have severely impacted businesses and disrupted the daily lives of ordinary citizens who rely on the internet for communication and information. Small business owners, in particular, have been hit hard, with many reporting a decline in sales and difficulty in reaching customers.
The international community has also expressed concern over the situation. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called on the Senegalese government to respect freedom of expression and release Sonko. They have urged the government to ensure a fair trial and to address the allegations of torture and ill-treatment of detainees.
As the situation in Senegal continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the mounting pressure. The charges against Sonko and the restriction of internet access have sparked a wave of discontent among citizens and raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values in the country. The eyes of the world are on Senegal, waiting to see how this crisis will unfold.
