Concerns are mounting for the health of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who’s been on hunger strike since his detention in July on charges of insurrection. In a statement, Sonko’s Pastef party said the 49-year-old’s health was deteriorating as he entered his 17th day of hunger strike – while also refusing medical care.
For the past five days Sonko has not received treatment.
He has been in detention in the Senegalese capital Dakar since 28 July, and on hunger strike since 31 July. A week later, on 6 August, he was hospitalised.
Pastef said Sonko was almost discharged from hospital on Monday but was too weak to leave.
In a statement it accused the government of using Sonko’s imprisonment as a political weapon “that distorts the democratic game”.
Meanwhile Cire Cledor Ly, one of Sonko’s lawyers, said: “Ousmane Sonko is a political prisoner of the state of Senegal. His immediate release should be a requirement of the international community.”
Credit: rfi
