Dakar, Apr 18 (APS) – Political and judicial news dominate the delivery of the daily newspapers sent to APS on Tuesday.

The Daily Witness gives the reasons for the postponement until May 8 of the appeal trial of Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the opposition prosecuted for acts of defamation by the Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Mame Mbaye Niang.

”The appointment of the current president of the Dakar Court of Appeal, Amady Diouf, to judge Ousmane Sonko […] is an anomaly that the lawyers of the leader of Pastef-Les patriotes intend to fight,” he points out.

The Code of Criminal Procedure prohibits magistrates involved in the handling of a court case at first instance from judging it on appeal, the newspaper recalls.

”This decision might be explained by the desire to allow Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers to appeal his conviction at first instance […] Amady Diouf probably did not want to violate the rights of the defence,” adds Le Moniteur Quotidien, speaking of the dismissal.

Until April 29, Mr. Sonko and his lawyers can appeal the decision at first instance. On March 30, the mayor of Ziguinchor (south) was sentenced to a two-month suspended prison sentence and to the payment of 200 million CFA francs in damages for the civil party.

”This decision taken by the new president of the Dakar Court of Appeal […] aims to allow the appointment of new members of the tribunal which must decide this case,” confirms Sud Quotidien.

“A new deletion” from the electoral register for Karim Wade?

”Karim Wade, the return?” asks EnQuête, adding that ”Wade son registered yesterday on the electoral lists in Turkey”. “The same strategy, which was adopted in 2019, did not bear fruit. He is currently ineligible and his application should be rejected.”

The former minister was sentenced in 2015 to a prison term depriving him of the right to vote as well as that of being a candidate. “After Kuwait in 2019, the declared candidate of the PDS chose Turkey to try to become a voter once more and get back into the electoral game”, notes EnQuête.

Tribune expects “a new deletion” of Karim Wade from the electoral register and evokes a “deal” that his father would be negotiating with the presidential majority, with a view to “the political survival” of the former minister.

WalfQuotidien also speaks of a “deal” between Idrissa Seck and Macky Sall. ”It makes you wonder if Idrissa Seck and Macky Sall are not playing the Senegalese”, despite the supposed differences between the two political leaders, concerning the candidacies for the presidential election of 2024, we read in the same day.

The President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) has made a declaration of candidacy, which seems to distance him from Macky Sall, who claims to have the legal possibility of running while refraining for the moment from saying whether he will be a candidate or not.

L’Observateur points out that ”Idrissa Seck still believes in his chances of reaching the highest office”. The proof is that ”the leader of Rewmi […] is in the process of reinventing a political destiny”, adds L’Observateur in an analysis of the ”controversial posture” of the president of the EESC.

Urban Security is the subject of the front page of Le Quotidien newspaper. ”Investigations are continuing at the Urban Security. It has become a very successful investigation unit […] The hierarchy has delegated to him all the sensitive investigations of the moment”, notes the newspaper, according to which numerous arrests carried out between ”Karang [et] Diaobé via Parcelles Assainies, Keur Massar Sud, Guédiawaye and Pikine” are run by this dismemberment of the National Police.

‘’Tension’’

Bés Bi Le Jour devotes a dossier to motorcycles in circulation in the country, in particular in Dakar.

Some 5,000 Jakarta motorcycles circulate in Senegal, the newspaper reveals, adding that 3,847 traffic accidents involving these two-wheelers were counted in 2022 by the National Fire Brigade.

During the same year, 237 people were killed in motorcycle accidents, according to Bés Bi Le Journal.

Because of the avian flu, there is likely to be “tension” on the supply of meat markets, according to L’Observateur. ”Poultry is under threat from Newcastle disease and the H9 virus, which are beginning to cause more or less significant losses, especially for small producers”, he notes.

Le Soleil describes the market of national interest in Diamniadio (west) as ”the bargain fair”.

A “special fruit and vegetable market” is open in this town as a prelude to the celebration of Eid el-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan.

”Producers find remunerative prices there, consumers quality products at competitive prices”, observes Le Soleil.

According to the newspaper Record, Habib Diallo might be the first Senegalese to win the Marc-Vivien-Foé prize, awarded each year since 2009 by RFI and France 24.

The Senegalese striker is one of the 11 players shortlisted for this distinction which will be awarded on May 30. The Marc-Vivien-Foé prize rewards the best African player in Ligue 1 (France).

ESF

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