(SenePlus) – The Senegalese political scene is inflamed following the police summons of Bougane Gueye Dany, leader of the “Gueum sa bop” movement. This action, perceived by many as an attempt at intimidation in the run-up to the legislative elections, provoked strong reactions within the opposition and civil society.
Thierno Alassane Sall, an opposition figure, did not mince his words in the face of what he considers to be an authoritarian drift in power. He points out the irony of the situation: “Those who literally flooded the National Assembly with insulting speeches, used the press excessively for very often detestable attacks, systematically sought to denigrate honest citizens, are allergic to critical.” This declaration underlines the paradox of a regime originating from the opposition which today seems to want to muzzle its detractors.
The leader of the Republic of Values goes further by denouncing what he perceives as a dangerous politicization of the Republic: “We cannot want to export democracy and freedom of expression to the ECOWAS region while relentlessly tracking down columnists. , journalists and politicians, in his own country.”
For his part, Alioune Tine, a respected figure in civil society, calls for reason and respect for democratic principles. He insists on the need to allow Bougane Gueye to calmly prepare for the legislative elections: “We must let Bougane Gueye go and prepare the legislative elections with his coalition, like all the other political leaders involved.” Tine warns against past mistakes, highlighting the danger of “criminalizing the opposition.”
This affair takes place in a tense political context, where Bougane Gueye Dany directly accuses Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of exploiting the police and justice for political ends. “He wants to use the police, the gendarmerie and justice in general to resolve political problems,” declared Gueye Dany in a video intervention, thus throwing a wrench into the pond.
The police summons of Bougane Gueye Dany, the reasons for which remain unclear, raises questions about the state of democracy in Senegal. It highlights the growing tensions between the government and the opposition in the run-up to crucial electoral deadlines, and revives the debate on freedom of expression and respect for democratic processes in the country.
