Senegal's Opposition Leader Alleges Assassination Attempt

Senegal's President Macky Sall has told the government to take measures to preserve public order after protests over the trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko left at least one person dead.

Sonko says he survived an assassination attempt during his appearance at the politically charged trial.

Violence erupted in several cities since the opposition leader's trial opened on March 16, 2023, and more than 400 people were arrested, according to El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, head of communications for Sonko's Pastef party.

Sonko is being tried for allegedly defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, a member of President Sall's party.

Convictions in either the defamation trial, which has been postponed until March 30, or a separate 2021 rape case that has not gone to court, could prevent Sonko from contesting the 2024 election.

Meanwhile, President Macky Sall has rejected claims that it would be unconstitutional for him to seek a controversial third mandate. In an interview with French magazine L'Express, Sall argued that when the Constitutional Council was consulted before the revision, it considered his first term to be outside the scope of the reform.