Chers tous,
Journaliste ayant travaillé dix ans dans la presse internationale, actuellement établi au Sénégal, je dirige Citoyenneté Sénégal (C221), un mouvement citoyen œuvrant dans la protection de la démocratie, des droits de l'homme, de la bonne gouvernance...
Je viens très respectueusement vous signaler des propos tenus par l'actuel Premier ministre du Sénégal, susceptibles de faire basculer le pays dans la violence de masse, le chaos, la guerre civile... Lors d'un meeting en vue des élections législatives du 17 novembre prochain, Ousmane Sonko a appelé ses partisans à substituer une justice privée à celle de l'Etat, les invitant à appliquer le principe du "gatsa gatsa" (traduction en langue nationale de la loi du Talion).
Dans le sillage de ces propos, ses lieutenants occupant d'importantes fonctions dans l'Etat (El Malick Ndiaye, Waly Diouf Bodian, Fadilou Keita...) ont publié sur les réseaux sociaux des écrits encore plus dangereux joints au présent courrier.
M. Sonko avait été poursuivi en 2023 sous de nombreuses accusations touchant à des infractions de violences à grande échelle.
Il est donc urgent de suivre de près ses agissements que je vous aiderai à documenter au fur et à mesure.
Dans l'espoir que vous exercerez une surveillance accrue sur les propos et actes de M. Sonko et de ses proches, veuillez recevoir, chers tous, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.
Dakar, le 12 novembre 2024
Cheikh Yérim Seck
Journaliste sénégalais
Leader de C221
Alerts Concerning Mr. Ousmane Sonko and Some of His Associates
(By Cheikh Yérim Seck)
Dakar, November 12, 2024
To the U.S. Department of State
Dear Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of State
As a journalist with ten years of experience in international media, currently based in Senegal, I lead Citoyenneté Sénégal (C221), a citizen movement dedicated to protecting democracy, human rights, and good governance.
I am respectfully bringing to your attention statements made by the current Prime Minister of Senegal that could push the country toward mass violence, chaos, and civil war. During a campaign rally for the upcoming legislative elections on November 17, Ousmane Sonko called on his supporters to replace state justice with personal justice, urging them to apply the principle of "gatsa gatsa" (a phrase from the national language meaning "eye for an eye").
Following these statements, his close associates, who hold significant positions in the government (El Malick Ndiaye, Waly Diouf Bodian, Fadilou Keita, among others), have posted even more dangerous messages on social media, which are attached to this letter.
Mr. Sonko was previously prosecuted in 2023 on numerous charges involving large-scale violence.
It is therefore urgent to closely monitor his actions, which I will help document over time.
I am also ready to travel to Washington to better inform you about the situation in my country, Senegal.
Hoping that you will increase scrutiny over the statements and actions of Mr. Sonko and his associates, please accept, dear all, my distinguished regards.
Cheikh Yérim Seck
Senegalese Journalist
Leader of C221
(By Cheikh Yérim Seck)
Dakar, November 12, 2024
To the U.S. Department of State
Dear Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of State
As a journalist with ten years of experience in international media, currently based in Senegal, I lead Citoyenneté Sénégal (C221), a citizen movement dedicated to protecting democracy, human rights, and good governance.
I am respectfully bringing to your attention statements made by the current Prime Minister of Senegal that could push the country toward mass violence, chaos, and civil war. During a campaign rally for the upcoming legislative elections on November 17, Ousmane Sonko called on his supporters to replace state justice with personal justice, urging them to apply the principle of "gatsa gatsa" (a phrase from the national language meaning "eye for an eye").
Following these statements, his close associates, who hold significant positions in the government (El Malick Ndiaye, Waly Diouf Bodian, Fadilou Keita, among others), have posted even more dangerous messages on social media, which are attached to this letter.
Mr. Sonko was previously prosecuted in 2023 on numerous charges involving large-scale violence.
It is therefore urgent to closely monitor his actions, which I will help document over time.
I am also ready to travel to Washington to better inform you about the situation in my country, Senegal.
Hoping that you will increase scrutiny over the statements and actions of Mr. Sonko and his associates, please accept, dear all, my distinguished regards.
Cheikh Yérim Seck
Senegalese Journalist
Leader of C221
