It was not until Velingara, a town located 481 kilometers from Dakar, that the “caravan of freedom” finally reached Dakar after leaving Ziguinchor. Pastef leader Ousmane Sonko’s relatives held an emergency meeting for almost two hours in a hotel in Venlingara following the announcement of his arrest.
As they left, Dr. Sékouna Diatta, mayor of Mangagoulack and close friend of Ousmane Sonko, recalled that their objectives had been achieved and would remain mobilized to support him in his political endeavors. According to the Minister of the Interior, the State responsibility was engaged after a man died during clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Kolda on Friday.
The minister also affirms that the procession which accompanied Ousmane Sonko did not have the necessary authorizations and that there were “risks of disturbing public order”. According to him, weapons had been found in motorcade vehicles.
Since midday on Sunday, the opponent’s party said it had no news and had called on its supporters to mobilize.
He had taken the road on Friday from his stronghold of Ziguinchor to return to Dakar at the head of a large famous caravan. But on Saturday, the security forces dispersed the convoy after new clashes on the road.
The deliberation of his trial for rape and death threats is scheduled for next Thursday.