Between the changes in the judiciary, with the postings in Tambacounda looking like sanctions, and the announcement of Ousmane Sonko’s complaint against Madiambal Diagne, questions are being asked. Could it be that the regime is testing the loyalty of newly appointed officials? For his part, Madiambal Diagne has no intention of standing idly by, and has announced that he will be filing a « complaint against complaint ». Ousmane Sonko said « Gatsa gatsa »!

Are we heading for a test of loyalty? This seems a timely question, given the juxtaposition of the announcement of the postings, akin to sanctions, of the magistrates who were responsible for ruling on the Adji Sarr case, and Ousmane Sonko’s complaint against the journalist Madiambal Diagne for « various offences ». Will the changes in the Dakar public prosecutor’s office affect the handling of this case? While the answer is not yet known, the question remains. Especially as the complaint was yet to be lodged as at yesterday. In fact, are the new appointees in a position that would guarantee them complete freedom? With this promotion, will they simply be pronouncing the law in what promises to be a political affair?

Read the column – The endless sharing of spoils

« Over the past few days, systematic and unjustified attacks have been made against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, president of the Pastef/The Patriots party. These attacks are sometimes abusive and/or seditious and have no connection with objective criticism of the government’s management. These acts are essentially offences punishable under our criminal law », declared lawyer Bamba Cissé in a press release. He affirmed that the initiative for the complaint came from Sonko’s pool of lawyers.  According to the black robe, if the Prime Minister « remains indifferent to the said attacks (…) His pool of lawyers intends to play its role as watchdog and will no longer tolerate any excesses not motivated by political considerations, committed to the detriment of their client, and constituting an infringement of Senegalese criminal law, without a judicial response ».

Joint editorial: The Senegalese media, a programmed death

Madiambal Diagne reacted immediately to the announcement of the complaint, which is due to be filed today. « This looks like a slanderous accusation against me. In a state governed by the rule of law, it will be complaint against complaint. Even if I bear in mind that on “’Set Setal’ day, Sonko said he would clean up the justice system of ‘bad magistrates’ and appoint ‘good magistrates’ to launch prosecutions », posted the journalist on social network X. Before adding this, « Maybe he thinks he’s finished doing that. »
By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH