Senegal opposition leader’s health ‘deteriorating alarmingly’ following hunger strike

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was arrested in July, was admitted to intensive care in a hospital in the national capital of Dakar with deteriorating health, according to his lawyer, days after he resumed a hunger strike in protest of his detention.

“Sonko went into a deep coma on Monday, Oct. 23, though he regained consciousness, his condition is deteriorating alarmingly,” Cire Cledor Ly told reporters Wednesday.

Ly made an urgent appeal to President Macky Sall to end Sonko’s detention.

He also appealed to the international community and religious authorities to “use their power and influence to secure an immediate release of his client” to "avoid serious consequences on peace, security and stability in the sub-region."

Sonko, a presidential hopeful, whose political party, the Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), was dissolved by the government, was detained at the end of July in Dakar on charges which include calling for insurrection and conspiracy against the state.

He refused food in prison, declaring a hunger strike, which he reportedly suspended in September on advice of powerful clerics.

But local reports said the 49-year-old resumed the hunger strike eight days ago.