Senegal's opposition leader Ousmane Sonko charged with conspiracy against state

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Senegal's opposition leader and presidential hopeful, Ousmane Sonko, who was arrested Friday, has been charged with multiple counts that include conspiracy against the state, according to the public prosecutor Saturday.

Sonko was charged with “calls for insurrection, criminal association, endangering state security, conspiracy against the authority of the state, criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise and theft,” Abdou Karim Diop told state television.

Sonko was arrested by the gendarmerie at his home in the nation’s capital of Dakar.

Last month, a court sentenced Sonko to two years in prison for "corrupting youth," jeopardizing his presidential ambitions.

Violent protests erupted in Dakar and other towns following his sentencing, leaving 16 dead and more than 350 injured.

The 48-year-old has refused to accept the verdict, claiming that the trial was politically motivated to derail his 2024 presidential bid.

Sonko was third in the 2019 election against incumbent President Macky Sall, who has ruled out running for a third term.