Postponed, a month ago, to March 16, the defamation trial of the Senegalese opponent, Ousmane Sonko, was announced under great tension, in Dakar where an important security device was deployed. And it was under strong police escort that the opponent’s procession set off yesterday for the court where security had also been reinforced. Precautions dictated by the strong mobilization of the opponent’s supporters who had been in the streets since two days before, to translate their support for him into what the accused himself described as a “conspiracy, a strictly political affair exploited by the power of Macky Sall for the exclusive purpose of dismissing a candidate who, by far, seems to be one of the best placed to win the next presidential election”. An air of already heard since in a previous case opposing him to an employee of a massage parlor, who dragged him to court for “rape and death threats”, Ousmane Sonko had already played the card of the cabal policy.
What was supposed to be a trivial court case for defamation is turning into a political trial
The least we can say is that one year before the presidential election scheduled for February 25, 2024, the knives already seem to be drawn between the opposition united within the Yewwi Askan Wi coalition, which does not haggle over its support for the leader of Pastef, and the majority in power which, far from standing idly by, never fails to sound the mobilization in its ranks. And in the case of Minister Mame Mbaye Niang who considers himself defamed and insulted, the Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition has given voice to denounce the actions of the opposition, which it accuses of being “irresponsible” and of seeking ” to destabilize institutions. Suffice to say that what was supposed to be a trivial legal case for defamation is turning into a political trial. And the recurring socio-political tensions following the opponent’s hearings are not likely to create a climate of serenity for the administration of justice. At the very least, they can have the effect of embarrassing, if not in the hot seat, the judicial institution which, in the eyes of the opposition, needs to prove its independence. Suffice to say that the Senegalese justice today finds itself caught between the anvil of a power that only asks to see the legal proceedings initiated against the opponent, go as quickly as possible, and the hammer of an opposition quick to put pressure on him, even if it means disturbing the social peace for the cause of his champion who is visibly playing his political future through these two legal cases. Especially since in the event of a conviction, his candidacy for the presidency of 2024 could be definitively sealed in the event of ineligibility. In such a context, one can wonder whether the Senegalese justice will be able to show itself sufficiently imperturbable to state the law in all its rigor, aware of the consequences of a possible heavy conviction of Ousmane Sonko, which could precipitate the country into unprecedented violence.
The opponent’s cap should not be an umbrella to protect against legal action
Or if his decision could respond to other considerations with a view to preserving social peace. That is to say all the dilemma that could be his today, for business that should not however be in the bottom. But politicians are what they are. And in this case, the observation is that each time Ousmane Sonko is summoned to justice, Senegal is in turmoil. It makes you wonder if the street has not become, for the opponent, the main weapon against the power of Macky Sall, whom he accuses of conspiracies aimed at eliminating him politically. We want to believe the political leader. Because, given the cases of the former mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall, and Karim Wade, who are so many opposition heavyweights excluded from the race for the presidential chair under the conditions that we know, it is difficult to give the good Lord without confession to the regime of Macky Sall. Especially since the Senegalese head of state continues to keep the mystery of his third term intentions that are attributed to him. But Ousmane Sonko must also take responsibility. Because, it is a little too easy to get into trouble with the law, and to shout each time at the political cabal because one is an ambitious opponent. In other words, the hat of opponent should not be an umbrella to guard against legal proceedings. As long as it is, it is still not the power that guided the steps of the former mayor of Ziguinchor in the living room of Adji Sarr to go for a massage. Nor is it the power that put in his mouth the remarks he made against Minister Mame Mbaye Niang who considers himself defamed. Let him therefore assume his actions by letting Justice do its job. Especially since if he has nothing to reproach himself for, in addition to being cleared, he will come out of it rather grown. On the other hand, this frenzied propensity to stir up the street at the slightest summons, could do him a disservice by suggesting a disguised desire to evade justice. In any event, Ousmane Sonko may not have confidence in the Justice of his country, but he must not prevent him from doing his job. It would be a bad signal. Especially for a personality of his rank, who aspires one day to preside over the destinies of a country which wants to be one of the showcases of democracy in Africa.
” The country ”