The Senegalese government has announced the dissolution of the political party PASTEF (Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity), led by opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. This decision comes after the party “frequently called on its supporters to engage in insurrectional movements, resulting in loss of human lives and acts of looting and pillaging,” according to the Minister of the Interior.
The political party PASTEF, founded and led by Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, has been dissolved by the government, according to a statement by the Minister of the Interior, Antoine Diome. He justifies this decision based on the “frequent calls made by the party to its supporters to engage in insurrectional movements, which resulted in loss of human lives, injuries, and acts of looting and pillaging of public and private property.”
The official statement from the Ministry of the Interior highlights that these disturbances to public order were observed during the first week of June 2023, following similar events in March 2021. These actions were considered a serious and ongoing violation of the obligations of political parties, which led to the dissolution of the PASTEF party by Decree No. 2023-1407 of July 31, 2023.
“The party’s assets will be liquidated” According to the Senegalese Constitution and the law on political parties, this measure is taken under Article 4 of the Constitution and Article 4 of Law No. 81-17 of May 6, 1981, amended by Law No. 89-36 of October 12, 1989. As a result of the dissolution of the PASTEF party, the party’s assets will be liquidated in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force.
This dissolution marks a significant turning point in Senegal’s political landscape, as the country faces tensions and challenges related to stability and respect for democratic rights. The government’s decision to dissolve an active political party in the country raises questions about freedom of expression and the limits of political opposition in the context of Senegalese democracy.
Earlier on Monday, the leader of the Senegalese opposition, Ousmane Sonko, was brought before an examining magistrate on July 31, 2023, following his arrest on July 28. He faced seven charges, including incitement to insurrection. After his hearing in Dakar, the Dean of the judges, Maham Diallo, decided to place him in pre-trial detention, also adding a new charge of spreading false news.
