Vidostream | News, sport and opinion from the Vidostream's US edition

https://vidostream.com

Senegal's jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko files to run for presidency

Jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has submitted his candidacy to contest a February presidential election with the constitutional council despite the state’s refusal to provide him the necessary documents.
Jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko speaks during a rally in Dakar, on June 8, 2022. © Seyllou, AFP / File picture

Jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko speaks during a rally in Dakar, on June 8, 2022. © Seyllou, AFP / File picture

Sonko’s back-up Bassirou Diomaye Faye has also filed to run, Ousseynou Ly, an official in their dissolved party Pastef said Tuesday.

Like other candidates, Sonko had until December 26 to submit his candidacy and show he has collected enough signatures.

Last week, the national entity that runs elections in Senegal, did not provide Sonko’s representative with the documents needed to file. His lawyers then said they would file anyway, hoping the justice system would be more receptive.

“We are certain that his candidacy will be accepted and validated,” Said Larifou, one of his lawyers, said Friday during a press conference in Paris.

“The Constitutional Council is a judicial organ and not political.”

Sonko was condemned to two years in prison on June 1 on charges of corrupting minors. He refused to attend his trial and was tried in absentia.

The 49-year-old has been jailed since the end of July on other charges, including calling for insurrection, conspiracy with terrorist groups, and endangering state security.

He has denied the charges, saying they are intended to prevent him challenging President Macky Sall in the February 25 election. 

In mid-December, a judge ordered that he be re-installed on the list of candidates, confirming a lower court order that had been overturned on first appeal. 

Faye, who is also in prison, is the back-up candidate for the Pastef party, which authorities ordered in July to be dissolved.

Former prime minister Aminata Toure, once an ally of Sall but who has since joined the opposition, also said Monday she had filed to contest the presidential election.  

(AFP)


Share :

Author: Editors Desk

Source: France 24

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy.
You did not use the site, Click here to remain logged. Timeout: 60 second