In Senegal, the Supreme Court confirmed this Friday, January 5, the six-month suspended sentence of opponent Ousmane Sonko for defamation against the current Minister of Tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang. A decision that once again calls into question his eligibility for the presidential election, the first round of which is scheduled for February 25th.
Published on: May 1, 2024 – 01:25
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Shortly before midnight on January 5th, the Senegalese Supreme Court confirmed the appeal court's decision of May 8th, 2023. Ousmane Sonko had been sentenced to a six-month suspended prison sentence on appeal for defamation and public insult of Mame Mbaye Niang. The mayor of Ziguinchor had publicly accused the current tourism minister of being attacked for alleged embezzlement in a state General Inspectorate report. Lawyers from both camps confirm his five-year ban.
The leader of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (Pastef), 49 years old, third in the 2019 presidential election, was sentenced in the first instance in March 2023 to two months in prison, probation and 200 million CFA francs (around 200 million euros ) sentenced 300,000 euros in damages.
In a separate case, Ousmane Sonko was found guilty of “youth corruption” on June 1 and sentenced to two years in prison.
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