With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
A very tense day.
This is the third and, in principle, last dismissal in this trial for defamation. A referral at the request of Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers. For two reasons, according to Master Joseph Étienne Ndione member of the collective:
DFirst of all the fact that three new lawyers – foreigners – were called on the file and that it was impossible for them to meet Ousmane Sonko yesterday – the opponent was blocked at his home.
Second reason: because Ousmane Sonko and one of his lawyers inhaled tear gas on the convoy’s journey to court this morning. The opponent was examined by a doctor who issued a medical certificate. Lawyer Me Ciré Cledor Ly was evacuated from the courthouse.
The hearing took place in an electric atmosphere. At the exit, the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang accused Ousmane Sonko of making “ dilatory »of ” theater to avoid responding to justice.
The day was punctuated by clashes between opposition supporters and police in several sectors of the capital, with tear gas, stone throwing, burned buses. As of Thursday morning, Ousmane Sonko, who refused the itinerary of the security forces to go to court, was taken from his vehicle to be brought to the courthouse by the police.
The opponent had left his home around 9 a.m., escorted by the police and accompanied by many supporters shouting ” Sonko rec (“Sonko only”). The convoy was blocked for a moment at the Stèle Mermoz roundregarding. There was disagreement over which route to take, as has happened in previous summonses. The tension rose with rocks thrown by demonstrators and tear gas fired by the police. Finally, Ousmane Sonko was extracted from his vehicle and taken to court by the police. « Our client has been brutalized and is unable to appear “, had launched in court one of his lawyers, Me Ciré Clédor Ly.
After the announcement of the postponement of the hearing to March 30, the tension has subsided for the moment.
► Read also Senegal: defamation trial of opponent Ousmane Sonko postponed to March 16
The leader of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (Pastef) party was the subject of a complaint by Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang, whom Ousmane Sonko had publicly accused of having been singled out in a report by the General State Inspectorate for embezzlement.
At the same time, Ousmane Sonko is the subject of a complaint for rape and death threats. He denounces a plot by President Macky Sall to oust a political rival. Mame Mbaye Niang reproached Ousmane Sonko for making ” movie theater to avoid responding to the accusations.
