Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has made a pivotal move ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for February 25 by officially announcing Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement candidate. This significant decision was conveyed through a prerecorded video released on January 28, 2024, on Sonko’s Facebook page and various opposition-affiliated media outlets. The video marks Sonko’s first public appearance since his arrest on July 28 the previous year.
In the 44-minute footage, Sonko, dressed in traditional attire and under house arrest at the time of recording in July, passionately outlined his strategic decisions, placing special emphasis on the endorsement of Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko described Faye as his “little brother,” lauding his honesty and brilliance, and confidently entrusted the presidential project to him. This move comes amid uncertainties regarding Sonko’s eligibility to actively participate in the election.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye
A major question arising from this announcement is whether Faye, who has been in provisional detention since April on charges including incitement to insurrection, will be allowed to participate in the campaign. Legal opinions are split on this issue, with some experts citing the severity of the charges as a potential barrier to provisional release, while others refer to constitutional rights ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates.
Sonko, in his video, also called for Faye’s release, citing the need for equal opportunities for all presidential candidates. However, it remains unclear if this will happen, as no formal application for provisional release has been filed yet. Sonko also urged other presidential candidates from his party, such as Habib Sy and Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, to continue their campaigns, thereby increasing the representation for the former Pastef candidate in the upcoming election.
