By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A Senegalese court on Monday handed a six-month jail term of an opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, for defamation against a federal minister, an appeal judicial pronouncement that may hamper his chances of prosecuting his presidential bid next year.
The court also fined Sonko the sum of 200 million CFA francs (around $330,000) in damages against the Tourism Minister, Mame Mbaye Niang.
Sonko who was sentenced on Monday, in absentia had said he will not make himself available to the court until his security was guaranteed, following repeated allegations of assassination against the government.
Prosecutor, Ibrahima Bakhoum had urged the court to arrest and jail Sonko for two years.
Earlier, Sonko had been handed a two-month suspended sentence and a fine in March for defaming the Tourism Minister.
The Appeal Court in Dakar has increased the term to six months, potentially making Sonko ineligible to seek the country’s presidential seat.
Counsel to the Tourism Minister, Baboucar Cisse affirmed that the ruling of the court would prevent Sonko’s presidential bid in 2024 if confirmed following a six-day period for appeals.
The opposition leader is also facing trial later this month for alleged “rape and death threats” over and complaint filed by an employee at a beauty salon where he went for a massage.
Sonko in March referred to his claim of assassination as judicial banditry.
In response to his appeal to his defamation conviction, Sonko denied the rape charge, stressing that he is the victim of a conspiracy by President Macky Sall to destroy his 2024 candidacy.
While reacting to Sonko’s claims, the government has denied the accusation, while affirming that those are one of his plans to avoid justice.
Whenever Sonko is to appear in the court, there is usually tension and heavy traffic jam in Dakar, as his teeming supporters always appear in court with him.
