In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko’s hunger strike to protest against his arrest continues to stir up reactions. While the political leader is currently in hospital, many voices have been raised to demand his release and the cancellation of the dissolution of his party, the Pastef. A petition, signed by 142 Senegalese and international personalities, has been launched to support this request.
Among the signatories of the petition are lawyers, academics, politicians, as well as human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Raddho and the Senegalese Human Rights League. This mobilization underlines the growing concern about the situation of Ousmane Sonko and the potentially dangerous consequences for the stability of the country.
Alassane Seck, president of the Senegalese League for Human Rights, warns of the consequences of a deterioration in the state of health of Ousmane Sonko. He stresses that this could plunge the country into chaos and therefore calls on President Macky Sall to show leadership by releasing the political opponent. Moreover, the dissolution of the Pastef party is also denounced as a democratic regression.
Concern about the continued instability is palpable among petition signatories. They call for peaceful and stable elections next February to preserve social peace and stability in the country.
Ousmane Sonko’s situation is complex and the subject of much controversy. The political leader was convicted of defamation and public insult, as well as youth corruption in an alleged rape case. However, for some, his arrest and the dissolution of his party are seen as politically motivated moves to eliminate a potential rival in the upcoming presidential elections.
In this tense climate, the petition in favor of the release of Ousmane Sonko and an end to the dissolution of Pastef is a call for the preservation of social and democratic stability in Senegal. She stresses the importance of respecting human rights and protecting the political opposition in a country that wants to be democratic.
It remains to be seen how the Senegalese authorities will react to this mobilization and whether they will accede to the demands of the signatories of the petition. In the meantime, the situation of Ousmane Sonko continues to arouse concern and attention from the international community