POLITICS
SENEGAL: “This procedure against Sonko will fall apart” dixit Me Abdoulaye Tall and spokesperson of Pastef
Lawyer and spokesman for the Pastef party, Me Abdoulaye Tall, puts on his gown to plead in favor of Ousmane Sonko, quoted in a case of rapes and death threats. The black dress is convinced that all these accusations against the leader of his party are unfounded. In this interview with Emedia.sn, Me Tall is convinced that Sonko will win this case.
The ad hoc commission has just been approved by the National Assembly. Will your client Ousmane Sonko respond to this commission?
Ousmane Sonko will advise when the time comes if he receives a summons from the commission. The party will advise on this point. But allow me to give a brief overview of what has been going on since the beginning. I think it’s theatre. You will see that the National Assembly and the sponsors of this scheme go straight to the wall. The plot has been uncovered. The investigation showed that Ousmane Sonko was not involved in this case. The investigation should have uncovered the conspirators because Ousmane Sonko’s counsels took the matter to the Public Prosecutor to request that these people be heard, that requisitions from telephone companies be made and possibly show the Senegalese that Senegal does not deserve this. Ousmane Sonko does not deserve this. It is a conspiracy that has been orchestrated to unsuspected circles of the state with officials paid by the state. It doesn’t honor the Republic.
Some believe that the reason for this accusation may have been that Sonko had the imprudence to go to that place where he met Adji Sarr—
Ousmane Sonko has a line of defense that has always been to comply with the precepts of Islam. Ousmane Sonko never touched the girl. It is rather the girl who touched Ousmane Sonko. So, all this is a machination and it will not prosper. Because, in reality, it is an attempt to confiscate the sovereignty of the people. Ousmane Sonko is an embodiment of the hope of a whole youth. He reassures the Senegalese youth. Ousmane Sonko is a heritage. It has, at least, contributed to the quality of the political debate in the National Assembly. Where we were accustomed to insults, Ousmane Sonko came to give a speech that reassures the Senegalese. Now, trying to liquidate an opponent, I think we could do it with conventional weapons and not with this machination.
You say that Sonko never touched the girl, but we’re talking about traces of semen that would have been discovered on the girl to the point that we’re talking about the possibility of DNA testing—
No one is talking about traces of semen. The medical certificate never talked about that. The medical certificate unloaded Ousmane Sonko. The medical certificate says no sexual intercourse and that of the last 24 hours, the girl had not had a sexual conjunction. This technical instrument shows that it is a machination. And the doctor who established it was required by the investigators.
Medical certificate discharged Ousmane Sonko
You’re convinced it’s a conspiracy. But don’t you think Adji Sarr has the right to file a complaint if she feels she’s been raped?
Why was Adja Sarr held captive? Her family is asking to see her daughter. She is held captive, secure to prevent her from speaking. His family knows Adji Sarr was manipulated. Ousmane Sonko says he has forgiven Adji Sarr because she is a victim of a system that manipulated her because of her precariousness. Ousmane Sonko’s first role was to forgive, to turn his back on Adji Sarr and to ask that his conspirators be unmasked and punished by justice. The complaint that was announced is not against Adji Sarr but against the conspirators behind Adji Sarr.
Didn’t Ousmane Sonko go to the salon for a massage?
Look, it’s everyone’s freedom to take care if it’s massage or medical care. We need to get beyond that kind of debate. In Senegal, because you are a political leader, you cannot be deprived of certain freedoms that are linked to your private life. We have to clean up the political field and not get into moral considerations. That is too sensitive. In addition, Ousmane Sonko assumed that he went to this salon, if only to receive therapeutic massages. Why should Ousmane Sonko be denied this freedom? This is unacceptable in a rule of law. I think that relations of political adversity must be civilized. But what is important is that every day the conspirators are exposed, and every time we move forward, we discover other faces that are part of this conspiracy. This only restores Ousmane Sonko in his dignity.
It says that the owner of the massage parlour is accused, not of procuring, but rather of complicity in rape. Is that true?
Why she was not brought before the investigating judge to be arrested and placed under warrant of committal. Today, she is free to do her business. She is at home. I think there are so many areas of darkness, so many elements that could push the authorities to pull themselves together and tell the National Assembly to stop because this machination will push them straight to the wall. And it only unmasks the conspirators
In addition to the acts of rape and death threats, other charges including the call for insurrection hang over the head of Ousmane Sonko. Is this another case in the case?
Who called for insurrection? No one called for insurrection. We must not, by the failure of a procedure, try to find a loophole to look for another procedure. This rape and death threat procedure is going down the drain. Now there are Senegalese who have been arbitrarily arrested, abused, tortured, heard and referred. These people have been placed under warrant of committal for various offences such as criminal associations, calls for insurrection among others. We try to muzzle a political party, to discourage activists. But that will not pass. We must know why we should keep it. Ousmane Sonko said in his statement that persecutions will multiply, which is why he invites his supporters to resistance. Resistance is a constitutional right. Since the other side faces acts of oppression, resistance is a legitimate act.
What analysis do you make of the opening argument of the prosecutor who targeted X when there was already a complaint against the leader of the Pastef?
That is a problem. From the moment a complainant has targeted a named person and the prosecutor after receiving all elements of the investigation targets X, this means that the file is empty. What hurts me the most is that at the month of asking that the parliamentary immunity of Ousmane Sonko be lifted, the indictment targets X which is not yet known. The investigating judge did not act. He should have heard the complainant, the witnesses and even Ousmane Sonko. The first thing he does is ask for parliamentary immunity. The fight is political. Now we know in Senegal, sometimes, how justice is instrumentalized and used to satisfy political demands.
What state of mind is Ousmane Sonko in right now?
He is serene. He is Zen. He has nothing to reproach himself with. God will act as quickly as possible because Allah will do him justice. Ousmane Sonko is not afraid of anything. He assumes his truths and positions. I think that the political debate should not have reached this kind of subject, would be that out of respect for Senegalese democracy. It is democracy that will emerge slapped and scarred.That is where the problem lies.
Source : Emedia.sn
POLITICS
SENEGAL Moussa Tine: “We launch a solemn appeal to the diaspora for the International Exhibition of Investment of the African Diaspora – SIDIA
Exclusive interview with Moussa Tine, the Director General of Urbanism and Habit. From September 26 to 28, 2025, at the Domaine de Choully, Africa – and particularly Senegal goes to meet its diaspora. For three days, the event will bring together several hundred entrepreneurs, including 30 from Senegal, investors, policy makers and artists. It is an unprecedented exhibition that brings together strategic sectors such as housing, agriculture, but also industry and commerce.
Why involve the diaspora and why organize this International Diaspora Investment Fair? Why this fair?
This exhibition today is a moment of exchange, an indispensable meeting point for government policy and particularly the policy of these three sectors, namely housing, construction, agriculture, industry and commerce. It is these three ministries that bring together their strategies, their strengths, to go out to meet the diaspora. The diaspora plays a decisive, extremely important role in the country’s economy and in its socio-economic stability. It is an important moment, a decisive moment, a moment that will also help us to financially complete a number of projects that are underway, but also to give the opportunity to the nationals of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their country. Each ministry today develops projects and this fair is an opportunity to give the diaspora the necessary information, either to integrate these projects or to collaborate with the State in the context of public-private partnerships or direct investments under the auspices of the State. Here is, in a global manner, the object of the exhibition. Today, this the exhibition is a decisive moment, an important one, with challenges defined across the three sectors I have just mentioned.
Thus, what is the economic weight of the diaspora?
The weight of the diaspora is well established. Today, it plays a decisive role in our economy. The diaspora is strong and economically involved, not only in a family way, but also through local and international initiatives. Therefore, involving the diaspora means redefining its role in a strategic way, which must no longer be limited to family support but contribute directly to the development of the country. This can be done through financial investment projects through programmes structured by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Spatial Planning. I take the example of the PNALRU (National Program for Access to Housing), a project designed and led by the Ministry of Urbanism. We know that most of our fellow citizens in the diaspora have a house or housing project because they want to invest in their home. But often, they do not have the necessary information to do it in a secure way, nor quality support. Projects like the PNALRU offer a secure framework at the level of land, construction, but also marketing, in a transparent manner. These are projects that the State has implemented and which allow the diaspora to have easier access to land, and to participate directly in the national economy. The diaspora complains about not having enough information on state initiatives. This exhibition is a way to reach out to her, to provide as much information as possible about ongoing projects and integration modalities. We know that a part of the diaspora already has the initiative to return or to work in collaboration with the State. This show will therefore be a B2B meeting, a space where the diaspora and the State will be able to meet, establish collaborative relationships, and create what I often call a “return ticket”, that is to say an opportunity for many Senegalese to prepare for a secure and planned return.
Mr. Director, what is the direct message you send to the diaspora, especially to that of Geneva, because the exhibition will take place there?
Yes, the exhibition will be held in Geneva. This choice does not come by chance. Geneva is a financial capital and a business hub. Organizing it there highlights a decisive point in the outcome of projects: the financial dimension and the technical dimension. The objective is that from this exhibition, not only do we provide the necessary information to the diaspora, but also that we mobilize its capital to encourage it to invest in real estate, agriculture and industry. Each ministry will present development projects that the diaspora can appropriate, whether in housing, agriculture or industry. These sectors are linked: industry supports habitat, habitat needs building materials, and agriculture requires infrastructure. This sectoral transversality will allow for maximum opportunities to be created for the diaspora. In Geneva, for three days, we will have exchanges, panels, permanent exhibitions (more than 30 planned), and B2B meetings between the state, professionals, the diaspora, and the private sector. The aim is to mobilize investors, experts and promoters to implement joint projects.
Who are the partners of this project?
In Senegal, we have the Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities and Spatial Planning, which leads, with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture as co-organizers. We also work in partnership with Me Events, a structure specialized in the organization of events, and with partners in Geneva, such as the African Village Association and Afrique Néon.
Mr. Director, to conclude, what message do you want to send to the Senegalese in the diaspora?
I take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to all our fellow citizens of the diaspora. This exhibition is made for you. Its objective is clear: to mobilize the diaspora, not only for its expertise, but also for its investments. Invest in yourself. Invest in Senegal. Invest in Africa. This fair is yours, make it your own, and make it a channel for communication and development. The success of this exhibition will be the success of the national policy towards the diaspora. Senegal comes to you, your country comes to you, in order to discuss your projects and those we develop here. Come in large numbers, because together we can ensure inclusive development where every contribution counts. Thank you and I hope to see you very soon at the Geneva exhibition, from September 26 to 28.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morissanda Kouyaté, received this Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Conakry a delegation from the African Union, on an official visit to Guinea. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the deadlines set for the return to constitutional order, while stressing the historical and central role of Guinea in the construction of the Pan-African project.
« I am very happy. The African Union is at Guinea’s side to accompany and support the vision of the head of state, President Mamadi Doumbouya, in favor of Guinea and Africa, in the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields, declared the head of Guinean diplomacy.
This meeting takes place in a context marked by the preparations for the constitutional referendum scheduled for next September 21.
Morissanda Kouyaté also recalled the founding involvement of Guinea in the creation of the Organization of African Unity, which became the African Union. “This visit materializes the commitment of the Peace and Security Council to accompany Guinea in a dynamic of ambitious political and diplomatic transformation,” he stressed.
The minister indicated that all actions related to the transition are currently funded by the national development budget, while calling for a broader mobilization of the international community. “We have requested a round table, called the Basketfront, to seek support to speed up the process. But this does not mean that we will give up,” he said, reiterating President Doumbouya’s willingness to scrupulously respect the scheduled deadlines.
He finally wanted to reassure on the efforts made to ensure an inclusive electoral process. “We are going through a difficult period, and that is why we want all Guineans to be registered in order to obtain a reliable electoral roll,” concluded Morissanda Kouyaté.
Source: guinee360 / Photo credit: Page Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guinea
