On the eve of a speech, which President Macky Sall is anticipated to declare whether or not he would be running for a third term, the well-known Senegalese opposition figure, Ousmane Sonko, has urged the populace to “come out en masse.”
Sonko averred on his social media page that, “we must confront the Macky Sall regime and say that it is not up to him to choose the candidates that will face each other in the next presidential election.”
“I call on all the Senegalese people to stand up as one and come out en masse and this time put an end to this criminal regime,” Sonko stated, claiming if he was detained and not released within two hours, then the masses must rise up. He continued to say that, “I believe it’s incumbent on all the Senegalese people to stand up, to face him” if the president declares his bid for a third term.
“If we have to put up a fight, it must be definitive. The days and weeks to come will be crucial,” he added. He continued by pleading with the populace to mobilize in order to request the freedom of political prisoners and put an end to his “administrative detention” as soon as possible.
Sonko also asserted that, Macky Sall’s recent “national dialogue,” which allowed two other previously marginalized opposition members to resume their political careers, was actually a “deal” designed to further bar him from the presidency.
While staying cryptic regarding his plans, Sall has maintained that, running again would not be unlawful and that his decision would be “free and sovereign.” Sall also attended an assembly of elected officials in the area, where they gave him a petition of endorsement.
Sall stated, “My battle and my greatest pride is truly leading to victory and pursuing our economic policies to the benefit of our population,” stressing that Senegal’s route to achieving an emergent economy by 2035 had already been “marked out”.
It would be a rerun of history if Sall chooses to run once more. Sall overcame Abdoulaye Wade in 2022, who was seeking a third term as president. Wade’s ambition was met with widespread protests, which supported Sall’s election campaign to the presidency.
Sonko Found Guilty
Early in June, Sonko was found guilty of “corrupting” the youth and given a prison sentence of two years. This triggered riots that resulted in a minimum of 16 fatalities. He is barred to run in the presidential elections in the following year as a result of the conviction.
Authorities have disputed Sonko’s allegations that, the court case was fabricated to keep him from running. Since May 28, Sonko has been “illegally held” by the authorities at his home, as he puts it.
In the midst of rumors that he intends to seek for a third term in office, which the opposition has claimed would be unconstitutional, Senegalese President Macky Sall would be addressing the nation tonight, according to his office.
READ ALSO:Our Oil Fields Are Developed Sustainably, Ugandan Authorities Claim
