The ECOWAS Court of Justice is to deliver preliminary ruling in the case between Mr. Ousmane Sonko and the Republic of Senegal on Monday, November 6, 2023.
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The applicant, Mr. Ousmane Sonko, acting on behalf of the political party “Parti Patriotes du Senegal pour le travail, ethics et fraternity” (PASTEF), filed an application before the court alleging the violation of human rights by the State of Senegal.
These alleged violations encompass multiple rights, including the right to a fair trial, access to legal representation, freedom of movement, and physical and moral health for himself and his family.
Mr. Sonko also raised concerns about the dissolution of PASTEF and claimed that the State of Senegal had infringed upon his right to participate in the management of public affairs, vote, and have the support of Senegalese voters.
During a hearing on October 31, 2023, the court received a request from Senegal to adjourn the proceedings. Senegal’s legal representatives argued that they had just received documents from the applicant and requested 15 days to prepare a response.
They further emphasized the importance of the case and expressed concerns about potential disruptions to internet and electricity networks, suggesting an in-person hearing on November 8, 2023.
Senegal’s lawyers also contested the inclusion of Juan Branco and Larifou Said as lawyers for the applicant, requesting their exclusion from the proceedings.
Maître Clédor Ly, representing the applicant, opposed the adjournment request, asserting that Senegal had been notified of the filed documents 48 hours prior.
He explained that the time constraints could jeopardize Mr. Sonko’s candidacy in the presidential elections, and he defended the admissibility of Juan Branco as a lawyer since he represented a citizen of an ECOWAS member state.
The court decided to examine the status of the applicant’s lawyers, Juan Branco and Larifou Said, and adjourned the case to November 6, 2023, for a preliminary ruling.
The panel of three judges presiding over the case includes Hon. Judge Gbéri-Bè Ouattara as President and Judge-Rapporteur, Hon. Judge Dupe Atoki as a Member, and Hon. Judge Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves as a Member.
Ousmane Sonko is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector. Sonko was the PASTEF candidate in the 2019 presidential election, ultimately placing third.
A major figure of the Senegalese opposition against incumbent president Macky Sall.
