Senegal Opposition Leader Ousmane Sonko Arrested, Govt Warns Against Further Protests

Senegalese opposition politician Ousmane Sonko has been arrested on Friday, July 28, 2023 by the Senegalese gendarmerie, the country’s military police and charged with new offenses, including plotting an insurrection. The charges follow his conviction on a separate charge of immoral behavior and sentencing to two years in prison in a move that sparked deadly riots across the country.

Sonko’s supporters maintain that the charges against him are politically motivated and an attempt to derail his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. They have called for mass protests and have vowed to continue to fight for Sonko’s release.

The government has denied that the charges are politically motivated and has said that Sonko is being held in accordance with the law. They have also warned against any further protests, saying that they will not be tolerated.

Sonko’s arrest has sparked protests across Senegal. His supporters have called for his release and have vowed to continue to fight for his freedom. The government has warned against any further protests, saying that they will not be tolerated.

The situation in Senegal is currently tense and there is a risk of further violence. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop, but it is clear that Sonko’s arrest has sparked a major political crisis in the country.

Here are some of the key events that have led to Sonko’s arrest:

• In March 2022, Sonko was accused of rape by a young woman. He denied the allegations and said that they were politically motivated.
• In June 2022, Sonko was arrested and charged with rape. He was also charged with making death threats against the woman who had accused him.
• In July 2022, Sonko was found guilty of immoral behavior and sentenced to two years in prison. The verdict sparked deadly riots across the country.
• In July 2022, Sonko was arrested again and charged with plotting an insurrection.

The situation in Senegal is still developing and it is unclear what will happen next. However, it is clear that Sonko’s arrest has sparked a major political crisis in the country.