“Clashes and Fatalities Mark Opposition Leader’s ‘Freedom Caravan’ to Dakar”

Ousmane Sonko’s “freedom caravan”, which started in Ziguinchor last Friday, continues towards Dakar. But not without clashes with the police. There is already a loss of human life in this test of popularity of the opponent.

We knew that the clashes between Sonko’s supporters, who form a long procession around him, and the police would not be lacking. And on arrival, it was no different. The scuffles between the walkers and the elements of the police marked out the course, in particular in Kolda, during the day of Friday. The blocking of the roads by the security forces made clashes between walkers and police inevitable. When the police used tear gas, supporters of Ousmane Sonko responded by throwing stones.

A man killed in Kolda

The violence caused the death of a 37-year-old young man. According to a press release published by the public prosecutor in Kolda, the death of the young man was due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. This suggests that there was live ammunition fire. For the moment, the origin of the shots has not yet been determined. The investigation opened on this subject and which will be supported by the autopsy of the body and a ballistics expertise will certainly make it possible to locate the responsibilities in this drama which adds to the many deaths already recorded in the various clashes between the supporters of Ousmane Sonko and the forces of order, since the beginning of the legal troubles of the opponent.

True test of popularity for the opponent

This trip by Ousmane Sonko from Ziguinchor to Dakar is a real test of popularity for Macky Sall’s main opponent. First, he is accompanied on this journey by a long procession of supporters. Then, in each locality crossed, the convoy receives a warm welcome marked by great popular fervor. Crowds throng along the roads to greet the opponent and his retinue to thunderous applause. A good part of the Senegalese population therefore seems won over to the cause of the man, a serious contender for the supreme magistracy.

But the problem is that the ongoing rape trial against him seriously jeopardizes his eligibility. The prosecutor has, in fact, requested ten years in prison against him. If he is sentenced, Ousmane Sonko can say goodbye to his dreams of leading Senegal, from 2024. And that, the opponent is not ready to accept and says he is ready for the “final fight” against Macky Sall. Fight for which he started, since Friday, his “march on Dakar”. Since the start of the case, in 2021, the opponent has denounced political maneuvers to exclude him from the race for the Presidency.

For its part, the government sees in the march of the leader of Pastef on Dakar at the head of a convoy, a strategy to be arrested “for political questions, questions of disturbing public order” and not for a conviction for rape which would be humiliating for him. Despite these remarks, the government spokesperson maintains that public order will be maintained “whatever the cost”.

Source Afrik.com