Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – With legislative elections on the horizon, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has on Wednesday evening made a video address to mobilize his supporters, urging them to secure a majority in the National Assembly, (full video at bottom of story). Sonko, head of the Pastef party, called for robust support to establish the High Court of Justice, an institution intended to prosecute officials from prior administrations, including former President Macky Sall.
During a national address on Wednesday, Sonko appealed directly to Senegalese citizens and his activist base. He emphasized the necessity of holding past officials accountable for alleged abuses of power and corruption. According to Sonko, the High Court of Justice would be tasked with investigating and trying former regime ministers, a measure he insists is critical to ensuring transparency and justice.
Sonko’s appeal comes amid growing public dissatisfaction with what he has described as long-standing governmental failures and corruption under Sall’s administration. The High Court of Justice, he suggests, would play a pivotal role in addressing grievances from past leadership and establishing a precedent for accountability.
The legislative campaign, set to officially launch within weeks, has become a battleground for Sonko’s party, Pastef, as it seeks to secure the legislative majority necessary to effect this judicial reform. If successful, this move could mark a significant shift in Senegal’s governance, aligning with Sonko’s vision of a “transparent and accountable government.”
Sonko’s call is also a strategic move to unify his party’s base, leveraging the popular sentiment against corruption as a rallying cry for change. His opponents, however, caution that targeting past officials may polarize the electorate further and distract from pressing issues like economic recovery and social stability.
As Senegal enters this pivotal election cycle, Sonko’s emphasis on judicial reform and accountability could shape both the outcome of the legislative race and the future of governance in Senegal.
