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Dakar Celebrates as Sonko, Faye Released
In a dramatic turn of events in Senegal, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and the presidential hopeful he supports, Bachirou Diomaye Faye, were Thursday freed from prison, sparking celebrations among their numerous supporters in Dakar, the nation’s capital.
Their release came after President Macky Sall granted an amnesty, setting the stage for the eagerly awaited elections scheduled for March 24, following an unsuccessful attempt to delay them until December.
The atmosphere in Dakar was electric as supporters gathered to welcome Sonko and Faye. Faye, 44, who is among the 19 contenders in the upcoming election, is gearing up to start his campaign through the Diomaye President coalition party.
The release has been a source of great relief and optimism for the disbanded Pastef party, now rallying behind Faye. Yacine Fall, the party’s vice-president, shared, “We are very pleased with their release. They should have never gone to jail, but now, with Ousmane Sonko’s release and our candidate, Bachirou Diomaye Faye, we will be able to campaign, and we are sure we will win this.”
Despite spending time behind bars, Faye is considered a strong candidate for the election. Sonko, 49, a prominent figure in opposition to President Sall, was imprisoned last July on charges he argues were concocted to prevent his candidacy. Though now released, he remains ineligible to compete in the upcoming election.
Sonko’s appeal, especially among the nation’s youth and unemployed, stems from his bold promises for reform. He secured third place in the 2019 presidential elections, capturing 15% of the vote. After founding the Pastef-Les Patriotes party in early 2023, it was later dissolved by the government following accusations of inciting an insurrection, a move that sparked widespread debate.
“The legal and political saga surrounding Sonko and the election’s postponement has stirred significant unrest and protests across Senegal,” noted a local analyst, “challenging the country’s image as a stable democracy in West Africa.” Originally slated for February 25, the elections were pushed to March 24 after a court decision prevented President Sall from delaying them further. This backdrop of legal battles and political disputes has significantly heightened tensions and public discourse leading up to the elections.
60 Immigrants Die in The Mediterranean Sea
At least 60 migrants perished after their overcrowded rubber dinghy became disabled in the Mediterranean Sea, according to survivors rescued by the humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée Wednesday.
The 25 survivors reported setting sail from Zawiya, Libya, seven days prior to their rescue. Their ordeal intensified when the dinghy’s engine failed after three days, leaving them adrift without sustenance.
The rescued migrants shared tragic details with their rescuers. They said that the deceased included women and at least one child.
SOS Méditerranée’s Ocean Viking vessel spotted the distressed dinghy and coordinated a medical evacuation with the Italian coast guard. The survivors, described as being “in very weak health condition,” received immediate medical care. Two critically ill individuals were airlifted to Sicily for further treatment.
Illegal migration by Aafricans to Europe via the Mediterranean sea has been a very dangerous undertaking over the years. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recently reported that 2023 witnessed the deadliest year on record for migrants, with over 8,565 fatalities documented globally. This represents a 20% increase compared to 2022.
The IOM report pinpoints the Mediterranean Sea crossing as the most hazardous route, claiming at least 3,129 lives in 2023 – the highest recorded number since 2017.
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