Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who has been on a hunger strike, was transferred to intensive care at a Dakar hospital after becoming unwell on Wednesday night, according to a statement from his party released on Thursday.
Since July 30, Sonko has been engaging in a hunger strike as a form of protest against the recent charges brought against him, which encompass accusations of plotting an insurrection.
Additionally, he received a two-year prison sentence in June in connection to an alleged rape case but despite the allegations, he has always maintained his innocence.
His supporters, who have organized protests throughout the year, resulting in sporadic deadly clashes with the police, assert that President Macky Sall is attempting to eliminate Sonko from the upcoming presidential election scheduled for next year.
Sall’s administration refutes these claims and instead attributes the violence to Sonko’s actions. The government dissolved his party just last month.
The justice ministry said it was not aware of the situation and declined to comment until it had more information.
Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall informed the press last week that Sonko had been admitted to Dakar’s primary hospital, received medical care, and was experiencing improvement.