Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who had embarked on a hunger strike in response to his incarceration, has regained consciousness after being admitted to an intensive care unit, as revealed by his dissolved party on Friday.
Ousseynou Ly, the spokesperson for the now-defunct PASTEF party, conveyed that Sonko continues to be closely monitored in the intensive care unit, both medically and by the police. The spokesperson’s message to AFP underscored that despite his regained consciousness, Sonko’s health condition remains a significant cause for concern.
The opposition leader, who has formally announced his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election, commenced his hunger strike on July 30 after being arrested on various charges, including allegedly inciting insurrection, engaging in a criminal association linked to a terrorist enterprise, and undermining national security.
Sonko’s situation took a critical turn when he lost consciousness, leading to his admission to the intensive care unit at Dakar’s primary hospital, according to one of his legal representatives on Thursday.
Sonko has been undergoing medical care while being held in detention since August 6, following his emergency hospitalization. However, specific details regarding his medical condition have yet to be fully disclosed.
The 49-year-old opposition figure has garnered a significant following among Senegal’s youth due to his impassioned critiques of President Macky Sall, portraying him as a potential dictator and the leader of a corrupt elite.
Earlier, on June 1, Sonko was handed a two-year prison sentence after a trial in which he was found guilty of morally corrupting a young employee at a beauty salon. Sonko contends that this conviction was orchestrated to prevent him from participating in the upcoming elections.
These events have resulted in clashes that unfortunately led to the loss of at least 16 lives.
Subsequently, Sonko was arrested on July 28 and formally charged three days later, while his PASTEF party was also disbanded by order of the authorities.
As for Sonko’s health, the government has refrained from commenting on his condition. However, there have been doubts raised regarding whether his hunger strike was strictly adhered to. Some suggest that this situation could potentially be leveraged to garner public sympathy and pursue attention, raising questions about the motivations behind his actions.
