Senegal’s leading opposition Sonko’s bid for the presidency in the 2024 general elections faces a huge blow as Sonko is convicted of corruption charges. A conviction for “corrupting youth” may disqualify Sonko, President Macky Sall’s fiercest opponent, from contesting next year’s presidential election.
Protests already have erupted in Senegal’s Dakar, after a court sentenced the leading opposition figure to two years in jail for “corrupting youth”, dealing a blow to his chances of running for president next year.
Sonko, 48, was accused of raping a woman who worked in a beauty salon in 2021 and making death threats against her. He has denied wrongdoing and is boycotting court proceedings.
The court on Thursday acquitted Sonko of charges of rape and issuing death threats but found him guilty of a separate criminal offence described in the penal code as immoral behaviour towards individuals younger than 21 years.
Corrupting young people, which includes using one’s position of power to have sex with people under age 21, is a criminal offence in Senegal that is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to more than $6,000.
The case has triggered violent protests across the country, with Sonko’s supporters denouncing the charges against him as politically motivated and meant to bar Sonko from contesting in next-generation elections however the government and justice officials have since denied it.
