Senegal: Opposition Leader Calls For Civil Disobedience Against Judiciary

Senegalese main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has called for national civil disobedience against the judiciary and further rejected any dialogue against President Macky Sall.

Sonko refuted allegations that he was undermining the justice system.

He claimed last month that his life was in danger and that he had evidence that he would be assassinated on his way to court to face rape charges on March 16th.

On March 30, another court handed down a two-month suspended prison sentence to opposition politician Ousmane Sonko for defaming a minister.

The opponent, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election, and his supporters claim that the government is using the judiciary to eliminate him politically and pave the way for the incumbent, Macky Sall.

Sonkko and his supporters accuse the government of attempting to prevent him from running for president in February 2024 by using the legal system. 

Sonko is accused by the presidential party of attempting to paralyze the country and of using the streets to avoid justice.

Several human rights organizations have expressed concern about the country's tense atmosphere, as well as restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, and have urged President Sall to abandon his bid for a third term, as he has not said whether he will run again in 2024.