The interior ministry of Senegal claims that in spite of ongoing opposition protests in various regions of the nation, steps are being taken to “preserve peace and tranquillity.”
Small demonstrations are still taking place in Ziguinchor, the mayor of which is the opposition’s leader Ousmane Sonko, and in the nation’s capital, Dakar.
The most recent demonstrations started when Mr. Sonko was detained over the weekend and his party was disbanded. He is still being held, and on Sunday he started a hunger strike.
The Patriots of Senegal (Pastef) party of Mr. Sonko was disbanded by the government on Monday, according to Interior Minister Antoine Félix Abdoulaye Diome, for inciting disorder during violent protests that took place in Dakar last month.
But Pastef says the Senegal’s stability “is now compromised, because the people will never accept this ultimate forfeiture of power against ‘the favourite'”.
Following the arrest and party dissolution, videos posted on social media showed people throwing stones at the security personnel.
His imprisonment, according to Mr. Sonko, is “on false grounds,” and he has condemned it. He is also anticipating the formal announcement of his party’s dissolution so he can oppose it using “legal means.”
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the West African nation has had three political party bans—the first two occurred prior to the introduction of multi-party democracy in the 1970s.
Ahead of the vote in February, Pastef’s supporters claim that President Macky Sall’s ruling party is attempting to disqualify their candidate by fabricating false accusations against Pastef, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election.
