An the day after the riots that shook Dakar until the evening of March 5, the evidence of the violent clashes between the police and the population remained clearly visible: wrecks of burned cars, burned houses, sacked media headquarters, looted shops , streets strewn with stones, destroyed service stations… “The situation leaves me speechless,” says Mamy, a 34-year-old sales consultant. For two days, tension had been palpable in the country following the arrest on March 3 of Ousmane Sonko, the main opposition leader accused of rape. The clashes multiplied to reach a notch higher this Friday with riots of a scale unknown for several years. Scenes of urban guerrilla warfare occurred in many districts of Dakar, but also in other cities of Senegal. Very quickly and despite the ban on assemblies due to the Covid-19, the police found themselves overwhelmed by the crowd of thousands of demonstrators who responded to the call of the opposition parties and the movements of civil society for a great march in defense of democracy. The official death toll shows four deaths, but would actually amount to at least six dead, while many injured are to be deplored on both sides.
From private business to demonstrations which speaks volumes about the fed up of the people
The clashes began on March 3 following the arrest of Ousmane Sonko, the main opposition figure. The deputy, president of the political party Pastef-Les Patriotes, has been the subject since February of a complaint for “repeated rapes” and “death threats” filed by an employee of a massage parlor where he frequently went. His parliamentary immunity was lifted on February 26. Arrested for “disturbing public order” and “participating in an unauthorized demonstration” while on his way to a summons to the Dakar courthouse for the rape case, he was immediately taken into police custody. . Refusing to sign a protocol of provisional release if “the political hostages” were not released, a new summons is scheduled for Monday at 11 am. Another procedure for “call for insurrection” was launched this Friday against the 46-year-old deputy.
If the Sonko affair first mobilized in the camp of the leader of the Pastef, it quickly overtook the person of the political opponent. “Sonko is indicative of a serious crisis accentuated by Covid-19 which has increased poverty in Senegalese society. With the curfew, it is impossible to work in the evening, there is no help to eat. We are witnessing hunger riots where people are looting stores, ”analyzes Alioune Tine, human rights activist and founder of Afrikajom. At least 14 stores of the French brand Auchan were robbed and ransacked by the demonstrators. “I am an employee in a French company, so I am worried about the overflows. For some, France supports President Macky Sall, ”reports Mamy. The frustration and loss of confidence, especially among young people, in the government reflects deep unease. “The time bomb exploded. Those are the wandering idlers, as Macky Sall disrespectfully called them, who are found in large numbers on the streets. Many have no qualifications, no jobs, but the president does nothing. We are in slow motion, especially in education, which needs reform, ”laments El Amine, a 30-year-old Dakar resident. The demonstrations have also become the symbols of a questioning of the class and the political system. “The elevator is blocked. The money is held by a corrupt oligarchy and justice is on two levels. It is this accumulation that leads to a fed up, it goes beyond Sonko, ”adds the business manager, who voted Macky Sall in 2012 to block Abdoulaye Wade. For him, Sonko is an alternative that would serve as a break with the current system. “We have nothing to lose,” he concludes.
A battered democracy and an opposition that fears being muzzled
Reduction of the Internet since Thursday, order of the prefect of Dakar to gas the journalists during the demonstration of March 3, suspension of two televisions with national coverage accused of having encouraged the insurrection for having broadcast the demonstrations “in loop”: RSF denounced attacks on press freedom. Several Senegalese media headquarters, including pro-government media, were also attacked by protesters. “What is happening is dangerous for democracy and a serious blow to freedom of expression. We would never have imagined that. The press finds itself hampered in its exercise and in danger ”, protests Sambou Biagui, the president of the Association of the press for mutual aid and solidarity (APRES).
For many Senegalese, it is therefore democracy that is threatened. “Fighting against Sonko’s arrest also means defending democracy and freedom with justice for all. Before, I was indifferent to the Pastef, but the plot against him had the opposite effect of that sought: he comes out of it growing up, ”says Adama, a master’s student in communication at Gaston-Berger University in Saint-Louis, where the clashes were numerous. Mamy, however little interested in political questions, says she is “almost ready to demonstrate because we must not flout [leurs] rights ”. In recent days, she has started to complete her file again to emigrate to Canada. “A country where you are imprisoned for your opinion, where justice only exists for the rich …, that is not warm to the heart”, she breathes.
Ousmane Sonko, who presents himself as an anti-system candidate, refutes accusations of rape against him and denounces a political plot orchestrated by Macky Sall to exclude him from the political scene in view of the presidential elections of 2024. “Macky Sall is in his logical to reduce the opposition to its simplest expression as he himself said. It is deplorable, ”said Vito, politician responsible for Pastef in Sindia, injured by a smoke grenade during a rally in support of Ousmane Sonko in early February. The cases of Khalifa Sall, former mayor of Dakar, and before him Karim Wade, both ejected from the political scene for financial embezzlement during the presidency of Macky Sall, are in everyone’s mind.
Another fear for democracy: the supposed presence of a private militia in the demonstrations. “We have videos which prove that the government has called on nerves, paid 15,000 CFA francs [23 euros] per day, to come as reinforcement of the police, “assures Vito, who also reports violence committed by these henchmen without the police intervening.
The presidential camp is defending itself in the face of determined demonstrators
In the background, it is also the question of the 3e mandate which is at the heart of the questions. In power since 2012, Macky Sall has not yet commented on the issue. The Senegalese constitution sets a limit to two consecutive terms, but the opposition fears being muzzled before he is reappointed. The government for its part rejects any idea of political ulterior motives behind this case. According to Abdou Ndiaye, president of the Appeal of the Republic movement, in support of the government coalition, “this private affair which arises in the public square must be settled by justice, Sonko is a litigant like the others”.
Youth are particularly mobilized, under 20s representing 55% of the population. “We have a generation that is ready to die, because it has nothing to lose, it has neither horizon nor hope. It crystallizes all hopes for Sonko ”, underlines Mr. Tine. On social networks, the hastag #FreeSenegal, informing about the Senegalese crisis, was massively relayed. “The people are determined, we want Sonko’s release. It has become a problem between the Senegalese and the authorities now. It’s now or never, so it will continue. It’s not yet a revolution, but it can become, ”says Vito, who has received several death threats for his political engagement.
A major risk: the uncontrolled aspect of the demonstrations
Unlike the events of 2012 which had prevented a 3e mandate of President Abdoulaye Wade by the victory of Macky Sall, these demonstrations seem uncontrolled this time, as evidenced by the many destruction and attacks on the sidelines of the demonstrations. “In 2012, there was strong leadership and a sense of limits existed. Today we are in an escalation of violence. Everyone seems overwhelmed by the situation, ”worries the activist. According to Mr. Ndiaye, it is urgent to “return to reason to stop the excesses and refocus speeches on the Republic”. The man denounces the discourse “provocative and violent warmonger [d’O. Sonko] which Senegal does not need. A great leader must be able to control his supporters, ”denounces Abdou Ndiaye.
International concern and civil society
Friday night, the UN said to itself “Very concerned” and called “To avoid an escalation” in this West African country known for its stability. However, the prospects for appeasement seem slim. After having remained silent for a long time, the government addressed the people through the voice of its Minister of the Interior on the evening of March 5. Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome held a harsh tone of speech, assuring that “the State would put all the means necessary to restore order ». The minister called the demonstrations “terrorist acts”, “a conspiracy against the state”, ensuring the prosecution of the participants. A speech far from reassuring Alioune Tine who fears that “the irreparable will happen. We need decisions, but the regime continues to stay on its line of defense and does not give up ballast ”.
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