The trial of Ousmane Sonko for rape and death threats against Adji Sarr on Tuesday, marks the end of a case that has gripped the country for two years. Here is the chronology of a « miscellaneous news item » that has become a politico-judicial affair.

The night of February 2 to 3, 2021: Complaint against Sonko at the Sr

The Adji Sarr-Ousmane Sonko case is a breath-taking soap opera that has kept the whole country in suspense for more than two years. Everything changed from the night of Tuesday February 2 to 3, 2021… Shaken by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Senegal decreed a curfew to reduce the movement of populations and slow the spread of the virus.  Masseuse at the « Sweet Beauty Spa » Salon, located in Sacré-Coeur 3, Adji Sarr, victim « of multiple rapes, decides to go overnight, accompanied by her friend Sidy Ahmed Mbaye, to file a complaint with the Colobane Research Section against Ousmane Sonko. According to the timeline of her account, the first rape allegedly inflicted on her by the parliamentarian took place in November 2020 and was later followed by “three other sexual abuses, the last of which took place the same night the complaint was filed”.

Auditions at the gendarmerie

Following her complaint, the gendarmes of the Research Section interviewed the owner of «  »Sweet Beauty », Ndèye Khady Ndiaye, who admitted that the leader of Pastef was a regular at her salon for several months. Even better, she confirmed that Sonko was present at « Sweet Beauty » this famous February 2, around 9 p.m. In total, 5 people will be heard by the investigators before the closure of the file: They include the boss of « Sweet Beauty », her husband, Sidy Ahmed Mbaye, and one of the masseuses. Closed by the Sr, the file was sent to the public prosecutor without the hearing of Ousmane Sonko. In the process, he initiated the procedure for the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of the leader of Pastef.

11 February 2021: Seizure of the National Assembly

Mamadou Seck, investigating judge of the second cabinet, seized after the introductory indictment concerning this case of repeated rapes and death threats, opposing the 20-year-old masseuse, Adji Sarr, to Ousmane Sonko, president of Pastef-The Patriot, had taken two acts.  The first was to seize the National Assembly to request the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of the MP, subject of a complaint for alleged repeated rapes. This was followed by the procedure for lifting the parliamentary immunity of the MP in plenary session of the National Assembly.

25 February 2021: Adji Sarr auditioned by the judge 

The judge had heard the accuser. Facing judge Mamadou Seck, the 20-year-old girl remakes the film of her alleged rape in crude language in the presence of course of her lawyers, Abdou Dialy Kane and El Hadji Diouf. She maintained her accusations made before the investigators of the Colobane Research Section.

26 February 2021: Lifting of Parliamentary Immunity 

Despite the divisions and jeers, the National Assembly lifted the parliamentary immunity of Sonko who decided to boycott the session.  This gave Justice the possibility to audition him.  Marking the beginning of tensions.

3 November 2021: Audition of Sonko and outbreak of the March riots

On Thursday, November 3, 2022, justice decided to hear the accused. Summoned by the judge, the MP enjoyed a walkabout which precipitated his arrest on the way to court by the Gendarmerie. This caused riots leading to at least 14 deaths. There were scenes of looting and ransacking of public and private property. Mediation followed and a lull of more than a year before the judicial machine was put back in motion.

8 March 2022: Sonko charged

After 5 days in police custody, Sonko is heard by the Dean of the judges, who inherited the file. He is charged and placed under judicial supervision for rape and death threats.

Thursday 3 November 2022: Hearing on the merits of the case 

The hearing on the merits of the case of repeated rapes and death threats for which Sonko is accused took place on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Faced with the dean of the judges, Oumar Maham Diallo, who replaced Samba Sall, deceased, he claimed his innocence while nevertheless admitting to having also gone to « Sweet Beauty » for back pain relief. The Dean of judges Oumar Maham Diallo asked him if he was ready to do a DNA test, because traces of spermatozoa were collected on the private part of the complainant, Ousmane Sonko again categorically refused this request.

Tuesday 6 December 2022: The face-to-face 

On December 6, the confrontation between Ousmane Sonko and Adji Sarr took place in the offices of the Doyen of judges Oumar Maham Diallo. That day, Adji Sarr explained the details of the rapes suffered. Ousmane Sonko denied the accusations and repeated what became his defense strategy: the political plot to liquidate him.

18 January 2023: Sonko referred to the Criminal Chamber

After having exhausted all procedures, the investigating judge returns Ousmane Sonko to the Criminal Chamber for repeated rapes of Adji Sarr and death threats. The deputy denounces another conspiracy and decides to appeal to have the decision annulled. The Indictment Chamber and the Supreme Court both reject it, confirming the holding of the trial.

28 April 2023: The Chamber fixes the trial dates from 16 to 23 May

After the former MP exhausted his appeal, the prosecution decided on April 29 to set the date for the Ousmane Sonko-Adji Sarr trial on May 16 before the Criminal Chamber.

8 May 2023: Sonko boycotts justice

On May 8, Ousmane Sonko, in a new declaration that he will no longer respond to the summons of justice, which « has persecuted him for 4 years ». He boycotted his appeal trial against Mame Mbaye Niang and was given a 6-month suspended sentence for defamation. This Tuesday, he may also not attend his trial on his own by joining Ziguinchor where he has barricaded himself for more than a week.

16 May 2023 : Day of Truth

There are more questions than answers. And, a certain fragility envelops the entire country. What will happen? Will he be picked up? Will he be judged in absentia?