As in Dakar, demonstrations by activists of the former Pastef party in the diaspora are often marred by violence. After the ransacking of the Senegalese consulates in Milan, Paris and Bordeaux last June, the Senegalese embassy in Ottawa was also vandalized on August 1 by demonstrators who denounced the imprisonment of Ousmane Sonko for calling for insurrection, attack on State security, conspiracy against state authority… The Ottawa police have identified 15 people who participated in these events, which have been repeated almost everywhere in recent months.

In the wake of the arrest and detention of Ousmane Sonko for calling for insurrection, undermining state security, plotting against state authority, activists from the former Pastef party in the diaspora were struggling to contain their anger. For example, the Senegalese Embassy in Ottawa was vandalized on August 1, 2023 by Senegalese affected by the imprisonment of the mayor of Ziguinchor. In any case, the hunt for the thugs is launched. The Central Division of the Ottawa Police Service Criminal Investigations Unit has opened an investigation into assault and mischief at the Senegalese Embassy in Canada.

They ask for the help of the population in order to identify fifteen people who took part in this demonstration at the level of the diplomatic representation. And the search is not likely to drag out, because the faces of the thugs are clearly identified on the Canadian Police search sheet. During the events, they were filmed by surveillance cameras.

In the memo released yesterday, the Ottawa police clearly explained: « On that day (August 1), shortly before noon, a group of demonstrators forced their way into the Senegalese Embassy in Ottawa and committed several offenses there, including assault, mischief totalling over $5,000, break in and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.” The Ottawa Central Division Criminal Investigations Section, which released the photos of the fifteen people believed to be behind the acts, “calls on the public to help identify them. The police also wish to speak with anyone who was involved in these events or witnessed them…”.

In recent months, violent protest has crossed the country’s borders and reached the states where the Senegalese diaspora is very present. Activists of the former Pastef party in Europe and North America have found a new method of demonstrations: ransacking diplomatic and/or consular buildings or property. In June, the Senegalese consulate in Paris was targeted by activists, angered by the sentencing of Ousmane Sonko, tried in absentia, to 2 years in prison for youth corruption by the Criminal Chamber of the Dakar Court in the context of the case opposing him to Adji Sarr. The windows of the main door were smashed, anti-government slogans were scrawled on the walls. « Serious damage » was also suffered in Bordeaux.

The Senegalese consulate in Milan was also targeted by protesters, who broke into the building. Senegalese in Italy also held a sit-in in the city to denounce unwanted behaviour. After the ransacking of certain services, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad took the decision to close the general consulates of Senegal around the world for several days for security reasons.

By Justin GOMIS / justin@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH