In Senegal, the political situation remains tense as the lawyers of Ousmane Sonko, opposition leader, filed three requests before the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These requests aim to obtain the suspension of the dissolution of the Pastef party and the restoration of Sonko’s political rights in view of the presidential election scheduled for February 2024.
Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers raised several human rights violations, such as the right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. They also denounced the dissolution of Pastef last July, describing this measure as arbitrary.
Maître Abdoulaye Tall, lawyer and spokesperson for Pastef, affirms that the party has never broken the law and that it complies with democratic and constitutional requirements. He also underlines that Pastef is one of the rare political groups to regularly present an annual financial report.
However, the main issue lies in the time remaining before the presidential election candidates collect sponsorships. Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers therefore asked the ECOWAS Court of Justice to rule quickly, in particular within 48 hours after the referral to the court by its president concerning the removal of Sonko’s electoral lists.
The political situation in Senegal therefore remains uncertain, but hope remains for Ousmane Sonko and his party. The decision of the ECOWAS Court of Justice could have significant repercussions on the Senegalese political landscape and determine the candidates who will participate in the presidential election of February 2024. It is crucial to closely follow the evolution of this case and to remain attentive to the implications it will have for democracy and human rights in Senegal.