Ousmane Sonko, the Senegalese presidential candidate whose two-year jail sentence for “corrupting youth” has sparked deadly riots, has been fighting what he claims are baseless, politically-motivated charges for two years.
Here is a summary of the legal woes of President Macky Sall’s fiercest opponent, an arch-critic of former colonial power France, who placed third in the 2019 presidential election.
– February 2021: rape accusation –
An employee of a Dakar beauty salon, where Sonko goes for massages, files a criminal complaint against the parliamentarian, accusing him of rape and death threats.
Sonko, who heads the opposition Pastek party, denies the allegations, saying they are part of a plot by Sall to rule him out of the running for president.
His supporters clash with police in Dakar.
Parliament votes to lift his immunity from prosecution, paving the way for him to be charged.
– March 2021: rape charges –
Flanked by hundreds of supporters and under a strong police presence, Sonko travels to court, where he is charged with rape and death threats.
He is released on bail after five days.
His arrest triggers the worst outbreak of violence in Senegal in nearly a decade. At least 12 people are killed.
– August 2022: presidential bid –
On August 18, 2022, Sonko formally announces his 2024 presidential bid.
He accuses Sall, who has yet to announce whether he will seek a third term, and France of plotting to prevent him from standing.
– January 18, 2023: rape trial ordered –
Senegalese authorities order Sonko to stand trial for rape.
His appeal against the decision is thrown out.
– February 10: banned rally –
Dozens of people are arrested following clashes, destruction and looting in the city of Mbacke in central Senegal after a Sonko rally is banned.
– March 2023: slander trial –
Sonko goes on trial in a separate case, in which he is accused of slandering Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang.
The opening of that trial sparks clashes between the police and opposition supporters nationwide.
Sonko is found guilty of libel and given a two-month suspended sentence, which is later increased to six months.
He is ordered to pay 200 million CFA francs (300,000 euros) in damages to the minister.
– May 16: rape trial opens –
Tensions mount ahead of Sonko’s rape trial which opens on May 16. Three people are killed in the violence.
A defiant Sonko does not show up to the trial, waiting it out in the southern city of Ziguinchor where he is mayor.
On May 28, the police halt his “freedom convoy” on its circuitous journey back to Dakar and forcibly return him to the capital.
– June 1: jail sentence sparks violence –
Sonko is cleared of rape and death threats but convicted of the lesser charge of “corrupting youth” and sentenced to two years in jail.
Clashes erupt outside the courthouse. Nine people are killed in violence countrywide.
Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall says Sonko can be arrested “at any time”.
The conviction may jeopardise his chances of running for president.
