By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A Senegalese opposition leader and the presidential candidate of the PASTEF Party in the February 2024 election, Ousmane Sonko, has been arrested in connection with alleged mobile phone theft.
Sonko was arrested on Friday after a scuffle with security agents stationed outside his residence.
The firebrand politician in a post on social media accused the soldiers of filming him with their phones as he returned from mosque prayers on Friday, prompting him to snatch one of the phones and ask them to delete the video.
Prosecutors say Sonko “stole” the phone of a soldier whose vehicle broke down near the political leader’s home and posted a “subversive” message on social media.
Sonko, 49, has been mired in several legal battles, which he says is targeted at keeping him out of politics ahead of the national election next year.
Sonko was in June sentenced in absentia for two years in jail for immoral behavior towards individuals younger than 21, which makes him ineligible to run for president in next year’s election.
He has denied any wrongdoing and is yet to be taken to prison..
The case against Sonko had sparked some of the most violent protests in Senegal’s history with hundreds of his supporters clashing with security forces on the streets.
Following Friday’s incident, Sonko called on his supporters to prepare for resistance in his statement on microblogging site X, formerly known as Twitter.
“They seem to be trying to kick down the door,” he said.
“I ask the people to stand ready to face this endless abuse,” Sonko added.
