Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s convoy was attacked Wednesday while he campaigned in Koungueul, central Senegal, his party confirmed Thursday.
Sonko, leading his party Pastef’s list for the upcoming November 17 legislative elections, was unharmed. However, Malick Gackou, president of an allied party and former minister, reportedly sustained a broken arm.
Sonko condemned the violence on social media, stating that “violence has no place in an election,” but did not identify any attackers.
According to Vieux Aïdara, a senior member of Sonko’s campaign team, the convoy was hit by stones before police intervened to disperse the attackers. No group has been publicly identified as responsible.
This incident follows an attack on Monday at the Dakar headquarters of another opposition party, where assailants reportedly damaged vehicles, broke windows, and set a fire.
Senegal is preparing to elect a new National Assembly after President Bassirou Faye dissolved the opposition-dominated Assembly in September. Faye said the decision was a step toward fulfilling his promise of systemic transformation.
Meanwhile, Sonko, who earlier disclosed Faye’s intention to dissolve the Parliament, said it was a move to launch a major anti-corruption campaign.
He also announced plans to introduce new public policy guidelines, vowing that there would be zero tolerance for corruption, promising former leaders would soon be held accountable, with some already barred from leaving the country.
In the upcoming elections slated for November 17, Pastef aims to secure a majority to pursue promised reforms alongside newly elected President Faye.
Faye has urged all election participants to remain peaceful.
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