Dakar: Political Tensions in Context of January 2022 Local Elections
GHRTV Reporter
15-11-2021
Cătălina Gemănari
Africa and Human Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Barthélémy Dias, one of the candidates for the function of mayor in the capital of Senegal, Dakar, representing the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi was scheduled to arrive at the Court of Appeal for a trial in which he is a defendant. The trial, based on a murder case that took place in 2011, is said to be a political conspiracy that seeks to block Dias’ chances at the local elections in January 23, 2022. On the other hand, the former mayor of Dakar declared that the hearing had been scheduled before Barthélémy Dias made his declaration of candidacy and is not linked with its candidacy. However, as the defendant was absent due to ‘traffic jam’, the hearing was postponed to December 1. In the context of the scheduled hearing of Barthélémy Dias, several of his supporters showed up in front of the court to protest against the criminal case from 2011, for which Dias has appealed. In these circumstances, it has been reported that supporters of the candidate have been tackled by the police with tear gas firing and massive deployment of security forces. In addition, Barthélémy Dias and other two opponents, Ousmane Sonko (Pastef Party) and Malick Gakou (Grand Party) were arrested for several hours following their call for fight and mobilization in the streets of Dakar.
Sources and further reading:
Senegal: the hearing of Barthélémy Dias postponed to December 1, 10 November 2021, Teller Report, 2021-11-10-senegal--the-hearing-of-barthélémy-dias-postponed-to-december-1.SJuHE4SYwF.html.
Senegal: police fire tear gas at supporters of Barthelemy Dias, 10 November 2021, Africa News, (2021, Senegal-police-fire-tear-gas-at-supporters-of-barthelemy-dias.
Senegal: return to calm after tensions following the brief arrest of three opponents, 11 November 2021, Teller Report, 2021-11-11-senegal--return-to-calm-after-tensions-following-the-brief-arrest-of-three-opponents.Bygm3fqqDK.html.
