Senegalese opposition determine Ousmane Sonko is in intensive care 19 days right into a political starvation strike
ByZANE IRWIN Related Press
FILE – Senegalese opposition chief Ousmane Sonko addresses journalists following his launch from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, on March 8, 2021. Sonko has been charged with conspiracy towards the state and requires insurrections amongst different offenses, mentioned the general public prosecutor on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (AP Picture/Sylvain Cherkaoui, File)
The Related Press
DAKAR, Senegal — Jailed opposition chief Ousmane Sonko was put in intensive care Thursday, almost three weeks right into a starvation strike to protest legal costs introduced towards him by Senegal’s authorities, his celebration mentioned.
Sonko was put in detention July 31 prematurely of a trial during which he faces costs of calling for rebellion, conspiracy towards the state and different alleged crimes.
Since Aug. 6, he has been on the Foremost Hospital in downtown Dakar, the capital, due to ailing results from his starvation strike.
After fainting throughout the night time, Sonko was rushed into an intensive care unit in the identical hospital, the place he finally regained consciousness Thursday, mentioned El Malick Ndiaye, a spokesperson for the now-dissolved Patriots of Senegal celebration led by Sonko.
Sonko had refused medical care the earlier 5 days, and allies try to steer him to alter his thoughts in regards to the starvation strike, Ndiaye mentioned.
“We’re doing every thing to get him to cease, as a result of it’s a query of life or demise,” Ndiaye mentioned.
Three different detainees who joined Sonko within the starvation strike are additionally in intensive care.
Sonko positioned third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is in style with the nation’s younger folks.
His supporters preserve the costs towards him, which have ranged from rape and demise threats to defamation and conspiracy towards the state, are a part of a authorities effort to derail his candidacy within the 2024 presidential election.
Human Rights Watch has known as for the reinstatement of Sonko’s celebration. Senegal’s authorities says the celebration was dissolved July 31, the day Sonko was put in detention.
