Senegal, an African country renowned for its political stability, experienced a series of violent opposition protests in June 2023. The consequences of these rallies were severe, with more than 1,000 people arrested and detained, according to advocacy organizations human rights.
However, despite the systematic ban on gatherings since these events, a march by opposition supporters was authorized for the first time in several months. Hundreds of Senegalese gathered to demand the release of prisoners of conscience.
The Forces Vives du Senegal F24 movement called for this demonstration, bringing together dozens of political and human rights organizations. The demonstrators, displaying banners in the colors of Senegal, demanded the release of people they consider to be “prisoners of opinion”. Among them are many young people, supporters of the opposition party Pastef, as well as dissolved political leaders.
March organizers say more than 1,000 people are still imprisoned in Dakar and other cities across the country, most of them without having been tried. The demonstrators denounce this prolonged detention and demand that justice be done.
Well-known personalities also took part in the march. Kilifeu, rap singer and founding member of the Y en a marre movement, was among the demonstrators and said nothing would discourage them from continuing to mobilize and demand justice.
The poignant testimonies of certain people present during the demonstration highlight the human tragedies experienced by the families of these detainees. A mother described how her 21-year-old cousin was arrested at university in June, along with other young people. She claims that their only crime was to support the opposition and says she is upset by this unfair situation.
The main demand of the demonstrators is the release of Ousmane Sonko, leader of the opposition party Pastef, arrested at the end of July and convicted of “calling for insurrection”. According to protesters, his arrest was politically motivated. Sonko is currently on hunger strike and his state of health is worrying, requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit.
The march took place smoothly and the demonstrators chanted slogans in favor of the release of Ousmane Sonko until the early evening. This mobilization shows that despite the restrictions, the opposition in Senegal remains active and determined to make its voice heard.
The article: https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20221028-s%C3%A9n%C3%A9gal-marche-opposition-lib%C3%A9ration-d%C3%A9tenus-opinion-repression- judges