The opponent Senegalese Ousmane Sonko, 48, was heard by the courts on November 3 on the charges of repeated rape brought against him by Adji Sarr, a former employee of a massage parlor, in March 2021. The former inspector of taxes, who came third in the 2019 presidential election and then was elected mayor of Ziguinchor, the main city of Casamance, in January, denounces a political cabal and has, according to his lawyers, “answered the questions by ripping up the conspiracy”. He hopes for a “total dismissal”.
Bearer of a radical discourse against corruption, of a sovereignist ideology in vogue on the continent and of a defense of what he considers to be “Senegalese values” – notably slaying homosexuality as a perversion exported by the West – the leader of the African Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef) has built his popularity on a promise of rupture. Five things to know about Ousmane Sonko.