Violent clashes have gripped Senegal as supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko fiercely defend him against allegations. Simon, a 27-year-old loyalist, fearlessly throws a stone at the police, vowing to protect his leader even at the cost of his own life. Sonko, the main opposition figure in Senegal, has become intricately entwined with the fate of the nation, with his supporters adamantly envisioning him as the country’s future leader.
Scheduled to appear before a criminal chamber in Dakar on May 17, the 48-year-old politician, who has declared his intention to run in the 2024 presidential election, was noticeably absent. Instead, he sought refuge several hundred kilometers away in Ziguinchor, the primary city in southern Senegal. As the city’s mayor, Sonko has taken sanctuary there for several days, effectively postponing his trial until May 23.
In the face of a restless night and previous violent clashes with the police in the capital, Casamance, Simon and his youthful comrades continue to stand guard outside their beloved leader’s residence. Their deep-seated resentment towards President Macky Sall has intensified, accusing him of neglecting their needs. Many of these young individuals are grappling with unemployment or surviving through low-paying jobs, enduring economic hardships.
Masked and armed with sticks or stones, they assert their control over the city’s main thoroughfares, strewn with stones and burning tires since May 16. These fervent demonstrators, predominantly aged between 18 and 30, are determined to block access to the house of Ousmane Sonko, who has repeatedly claimed that the government is plotting to dismantle his political career.
The ruling Alliance for the Republic party has previously accused Sonko and his party of harboring an “insurrectionary mindset.” Undeterred, the young opposition supporters remain steadfast, suspecting that the state is attempting to apprehend the mayor of Ziguinchor.
“Our lives are at stake in this struggle. Anyone who dares to remove Sonko will have to walk over our lifeless bodies,” declares a defiant young man from within the group. Clad in hooded attire and armed with bottles of vinegar to counteract tear gas, their determination knows no bounds.
Amidst the chaos, a group of black-clad women gather, singing and dancing in front of Sonko’s house, actively participating in this fight. They are part of the “sacred wood,” a traditional group attributed with mystical powers, and perceive their role as protectors of Ousmane Sonko.
Tragically, the protests have already resulted in fatalities, with many supporters willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Sonko’s cause. In March 2021, large-scale demonstrations rocked Senegal following Sonko’s arrest en route to a court summons related to a rape complaint.
With such a tumultuous history and mounting tension, Ziguinchor finds itself in a state of paralysis. Most shops and schools remain closed, as daily life grinds to a halt. At the forefront of the clashes against the police stands Simon, a single father who passionately fights for his son’s future and that of Senegal.
Simon, an electrician by profession, bemoans the pervasive unemployment crisis in the region, describing it as “endemic.”