Jailed Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko files to run for president

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko says he wants to enter the race to become the country's president. AP - Sylvain Cherkaoui

Jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has submitted his candidacy to contest a February presidential election with the constitutional council despite the state's refusal to provide him the necessary documents.

Sonko's back-up Bassirou Diomaye Faye has also filed to run, according to Ousseynou Ly, an official in their dissolved party Pastef.

Like other candidates, Sonko had until 26 December to submit his candidacy and show he has collected enough signatures.

Last week, the national entity that runs elections in Senegal, did not provide Sonko's representative with the documents needed to file.

His lawyers said they would file anyway, hoping the justice system would be more receptive.

Gloire à Dieu, l’Unique !
Honneurs à mes dévoués, brillants, désintéressés et loyaux avocats !
Reconnaissance infinie à ce formidable peuple sénégalais !
Remerciements à tous nos soutiens africains et étrangers !
Que la paix et la bénédiction divine inondent notre pays.… pic.twitter.com/LpiIA10awZ

— Ousmane Sonko (@SonkoOfficiel) December 14, 2023

"We are certain that his candidacy will be accepted and validated," Said Larifou, one of his lawyers, said during a press conference in Paris.

"The constitutional council is a judicial organ and not political."

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko waves to his supporters in Ziguinchor, Casamance, where he is mayor, on 3 July 3, 2022. AFP - MUHAMADOU BITTAYE

Sonko was condemned to two years in prison on 1 June on charges of corrupting minors. He refused to attend his trial and was tried in absentia.

The 49-year-old has been jailed since the end of July on other charges, including calling for insurrection, conspiracy with terrorist groups, and endangering state security.

He has denied the charges, saying they are intended to prevent him challenging President Macky Sall in the 25 February election.

In mid-December, a judge ordered that he be re-installed on the list of candidates, confirming a lower court order that had been overturned on first appeal.

Former prime minister Aminata Touré, once an ally of Sall but who has since joined the opposition, also said Monday she had filed to contest the presidential election.

Notre candidature a été déposée ce matin au Conseil Constitutionnel. Je félicite notre mandataire national, nos délégués régionaux, tous les responsables et militants de #Mimi2024.
Je remercie tous les sénégalais qui ont accepté de nous parrainer. La lutte pour une élection… pic.twitter.com/6X7REYLneD

— Aminata TOURE (@aminatatoureklk) December 25, 2023

(AFP)