In Dakar, the leader of Pastef Ousmane Sonko was sentenced, this Thursday, March 30, to two months in prison suspended for the acts of defamation and 200 million CFA francs in damages.
The trial of the opponent of the regime of Macky Sall, Ousmane Sonko opened this Thursday at the court of Dakar. Ousmane Sonko is accused of defamation, insults and falsehood against the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang. Following a hearing boycotted by his lawyers, the prosecutor sentenced Ousmane Sonko to two months in prison with a suspended sentence and 200 million francs CFA in damages.
Ousmane Sonko did not go to court on Thursday morning and his lawyers were quick to leave the courtroom. Thus, the trial took place under high tension, in a courthouse where an imposing security device was deployed and in a capital covered by police and gendarmes. In the course of the proceedings, the defence requested a suspension of the hearing, arguing the suspension of their colleague, Ousseynou Fall and the medical certificate of their client, who had been ill since 16 March.
But the court ruled against this request, recalling that the various parties had already agreed on the arrangements for the hearing. Due to the court’s refusal, Ousmane Sonko’s lawyers decided to leave the courtroom.
It should also be noted that this conviction preserves Ousmane Sonko’s eligibility for the 2024 presidential election.
