By John Ikani
Over 100 political and civil society groups in Senegal have formed a coalition to oppose President Macky Sall’s possible bid for a third term.
With presidential elections just ten months away, the coalition has called on Sall to respect the constitution and refrain from running for an “illegal and illegitimate” third term.
While Sall has not confirmed his intentions, he has dismissed claims that running for a third term would be unconstitutional.
Ousmane Sonko, Sall’s main political opponent, was among several opposition leaders to attend the coalition’s launch on Sunday.
Over 120 parties signed the charter of the F24 Movement of Vital Forces, which also demands the release of “political detainees” arrested during demonstrations over a defamation case against Sonko brought by Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, a member of Sall’s party.
Sonko received a two-month suspended sentence in a court case at the end of March.
His lawyers stated that the ruling would not bar him from running in the 2024 presidential election.
However, an appeal has been lodged against the ruling and Sonko is due to be judged on Monday.
Sonko is also accused of rape in another case, which he contests.
He and his supporters claim that the government is using the justice system to prevent him from running in next year’s election.
In response, the presidential party accuses Sonko of seeking to paralyze the country and incite unrest to avoid prosecution.
