Barth’ did not hesitate to respond to his « friend and brother Ousmane Sonko », who declared that Macky allegedly confided to a Yaw leader that the trial judge is from the Pastef party, which is why he condemned Ousmane Sonko to 2 months suspended prison sentence. Barth’ denied this and attacked Sonko, reminding him of his positions of yesterday, which are contradictory to those of today.  The mayor of Dakar explained his meeting with President Macky Sall, spoke about the latter’s third candidacy and distanced himself from those who oppose dialogue.

Barthélemy Dias did not wait to be named by Ousmane Sonko, who said on Sunday that a “Yaw leader who met him reportedly told him that Macky said the trial judge was from the Pastef party, and that’s why he gave me a 2 month suspended sentence”. The mayor of Dakar held a press conference yesterday to explain himself. “I took the responsibility to call for dialogue on January 26, 2023 (…) No political leader called me to take offense. He who is silent consents (…) He (Sonko) knows very well that if the judge was from Pastef, he was not going to put 200 million. What I deplore with my friend and brother Ousmane is wanting to insist on a revelation that does not exist (…) Those who consider that we have a long way to go, let them know that I am willing to do it. Those who think otherwise, feel free to take responsibility for this decision. I have hope for Yaw,” said Barth’, before confirming that he met President Macky Sall.

Without giving the location, Barthélemy Dias said that following his call for dialogue, persons of goodwill visited him to materialize his wish. Barth’ then set conditions to meet Macky Sall. The mayor of Dakar mentioned his refusal to meet the President of the Republic at the Palace or at his private home. It was then that they agreed to meet at a neutral location.

“Two people were aware of the meeting. They are my leader Khalifa Sall and my friend Ousmane Sonko.  I said to the President: “Two people are aware of my presence. At no time did these two people oppose the dialogue. The Constitution gives you the right to organize an election and not a selection. Mr. President, I have the impression that you want to dismiss Ousmane Sonko. You do not have the right to a 3rd candidacy”, reported Barth’, recalling his remarks made before President Macky Sall. Who asked him what the opposition wishes to discuss during the dialogue. “Sponsorship, why do you refuse the single ballot? Why not cross-check the identity card and the voter card? We must work on an eternity clause to put a definitive end to (the controversy) on the question of the 3rd term”, proposed the mayor of Dakar.

To which What Macky Sall answered: “Are the leaders (of your camp) ready to debate and discuss? If you commit to people accepting a sincere dialogue, I am ready to consider this option.” Barth’ said that after the meeting, he called Ousmane Sonko and Khalifa Sall to debrief them.

Political dialogue, Barth’ assumes his choice
Still in the revelations, the mayor of Dakar took advantage of his press conference to respond to activists from the Pastef party, who insult Taxawu Senegaal on the internet while skinning Sonko, whom he accused without naming of wanting to run « by sacrificing the life of hundreds of Senegalese and tell their mothers to give birth to other children ».  “In politics, it is a clash of ambitions. Some would be candidates have renounced ministerial posts and returned institutions, others prefer to sacrifice hundreds of human lives and, if necessary, their mothers can procreate others. We prefer talks. It doesn’t mean dealing. But where is the problem? My position as a statesman does not allow me to say everything. I have to have restraint,” he explained.

Returning to the modification of articles L29 or L30 of the Electoral Code to allow its leader to be a candidate in 2024, Barthélemy Dias confirms the words of Khalifa Sall. “Whether it is an amnesty or the modification of articles L29 and L30, it will not bother us, because we have been imprisoned unjustly. We want to be rehabilitated. Khalifa Sall has been side-lined through politics. It is through the latter that he will be reinstated. If God decides that he will be a candidate, he will be. Otherwise, we will accept. We are not going to sacrifice the lives of hundreds of Senegalese for Khalifa Sall to be a candidate. It is my belief. I have the right to have a point of view. We are in a democracy,” he said.

Before adding: “A political actor insisted that we include Khalifa’s amnesty in the Yaw charter, during the installation of the coalition. This actor today tells us, that he no longer agrees. It is not up to them to decide, but they are free to have a point of view. They have no right to prevent us from making a choice.”

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH