Just In : Presidential Candidate Who Finished 3rd Hospitalised (DETAILS)
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who had been engaging in a hunger strike as a form of protest against his detention, has been taken to the hospital, as reported by his supporters…
Sonko, aged 49, was admitted to the Main Hospital in the capital city of Senegal, Dakar, on Sunday. This development was communicated through a statement from his dissolved political party, the Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF).
The opposition leader had been apprehended on July 28 on charges including plotting an insurrection, undermining state security, and criminal association with a terrorist group. He initiated his hunger strike two days following his arrest.
PASTEF stated that Sonko’s hospitalization was due to an emergency and held the authorities “accountable” for his deteriorating condition. The party emphasized that he was in good health before his imprisonment, without any known medical conditions.
Cire Cledor Ly, one of Sonko’s legal representatives, confirmed the news of his hospitalization to AFP news agency, but did not provide details about his current condition.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from the Senegalese government.
Sonko, who secured the third position in Senegal’s presidential election in 2019, enjoys popularity among the nation’s youth. His arrest and the dissolution of his political party led to violent protests in Dakar recently, resulting in casualties and injuries.
These actions followed weeks after Sonko had been convicted by a judge in a separate case, on charges of corrupting youth, leading to his sentencing to two years in prison. The conviction sparked clashes that resulted in multiple fatalities.
Supporters of Sonko maintain that the charges against him are part of a government strategy to hinder his potential candidacy in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Additionally, Juan Branco, a lawyer representing Sonko, has been arrested in Mauritania, extradited to Senegal, and is currently being held in a prison in Dakar. He is facing charges related to the dissemination of false information, conspiracy against the state, and other offenses
