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Ousmane Sonko is summoned by justice this Thursday, February 2. The opponent is the subject of a complaint for defamation filed by the current Minister of Tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang. It is therefore not the case of alleged rapes, for which the date of a trial has not been set. But this “parallel” procedure might be risky for the leader of the Pastef party, declared candidate for the next presidential election.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
The remarks date from November 22, 2022. During a press briefing, Ousmane Sonko accused Mame Mbaye Niang of having been singled out in a report by the IGE – the General State Inspectorate – for alleged embezzlement at Prodac. Mame Mbaye Niang was then minister responsible for this “Community Agricultural Domains Program”, launched in 2014, which aims in particular to integrate young people into agricultural professions.
Remarks “ defamatory and misleading ” according to Mame Mbaye Niang, who therefore seized the prosecution for a direct summons, and asked the opponent to bring evidence to justice.
In front of journalists on Wednesday, Ousmane Sonko did not mention this case, nor indicate whether he intended to appear in court on Thursday morning. But in his entourage, some are worried regarding the political consequences of a possible conviction of the opponent, which might make him ineligible and disqualify him for the presidential election of 2024.
« To specify the risks he incurs, it would first be necessary to have access to the file simply comments one of his lawyers.
