Senegal's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the dissolution of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's party, PASTEF.
In Senegal, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's party, PASTEF, was dissolved. In the statement made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was announced that PASTEF, which was claimed to have frequently called its supporters to revolt through its leaders and managers, was closed by decree. This decision is the first since the country gained independence from France in 1960. Speaking on the local radio about the decision, PASTEF Spokesperson said, "We will attack this decision, the Senegalese people will resist."
“ATTACK AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER” CLAIM
In the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was claimed that attacks against public order took place in March 2021 and June 2023 as a result of the calls of party executives and said: “Following these events that seriously and permanently violate the obligations of political parties, in accordance with Article 4 of the Law on Political Parties, "PASTEF has been closed as of July 31, 2023."
INTERNET INTERRUPTION STILL CONTINUES IN THE COUNTRY
Before the closure decision was shared with the public, an arrest warrant was issued for PASTEF leader Ousmane Sonko on the charge of "calling for an uprising". The opposition leader was detained on Friday, July 28, after it was alleged that he forcibly took the mobile phone of a gendarmerie who wanted to videotape him. Sonko, who has been detained since then, gave a statement to the interrogating judge today.
TWO PEOPLE DIED IN THE INCIDENT FOLLOWING THE DETENTION AND TERMINATION DECISION
Before Sonko appeared before the judge, it was announced on the virtual media that mobile data flow was temporarily cut off "in order to prevent hate messages and possible street protests that would disrupt public order." The internet outage still continues in the country. Senegal's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that 2 people died in the incidents that broke out after Sonko's detention and the dissolution of his party PASTEF. The Ministry called for calm to the public.
WORKPLACES SHUT DOWN AND CLOSED THEIR TOTAL STATIONS FOR THREE DAYS
As a result of successive decisions against the opposition leader and his party, small-scale street protests were organized in some cities and suburbs of Dakar. While many stores and workplaces have decided not to work today due to concerns that the events may escalate, the French Institute announced that it will be closed until Friday. French oil giant Total also announced that gas stations will not be able to operate for three days for security reasons.
SONKO, WHO WAS GIVEN A TWO YEAR JUDGMENT, WAS NOT ARRESTED
Opposition leader and Presidential candidate Ousmane Sonko was acquitted of the rape charge against him on June 1, 2021, but was sentenced to 2 years in prison for encouraging young people to commit crime. Protesting the decision, Sonko supporters started demonstrations and 16 people died in the incidents.
It is still unclear whether the sentence given to the opposition leader will prevent his candidacy or not, even though nearly 2 months have passed since his conviction. Sonko, who was not arrested despite the decision against him, was kept under police blockade at his home in Dakar's Cite Keur Gorgui district from 1 June to 24 July. Sonko, whose security measures in front of his house were lifted on the morning of July 24, was not arrested.
(NEWS CENTER)
