Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has reaffirmed his commitment to reviving the high-profile defamation case against former Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, despite the Supreme Court’s recent rejection of his appeal. The court upheld a six-month suspended sentence that barred Sonko from contesting the 2024 presidential election, a decision Sonko contends was based on flawed legal grounds.
In a live address streamed on social media, Sonko accused the judiciary of irregularities and political bias. He maintained that his allegations against Niang were grounded in findings from a report by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), which allegedly documented the mismanagement of public funds linked to the Community Agricultural Domains Program (Prodac). Niang and his legal representatives, however, have consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting no such report exists.
The case has been a politically charged issue in Senegal, especially during the 2024 election season. Sonko’s initial refusal to appear before the court contributed to his legal troubles, which ultimately disqualified him from the presidential race. Following the end of former President Macky Sall’s term, Niang reportedly relocated abroad.
Legal analysts note that while an amnesty law passed earlier this year cleared political offenses committed between 2021 and 2024—including those involving Sonko—there remains a legal mechanism to challenge Supreme Court decisions on grounds of procedural or judicial error. Constitutional expert Mounirou Sy says this route may allow for a case review if it’s proven that judicial misconduct impacted the verdict. The development highlights ongoing tensions in Senegal’s post-election political landscape, with Sonko continuing to position himself as a leading opposition figure determined to fight what he sees as systemic injustice.
