Babacar Ba: Condemns Arona Diouf Sonko Over Extra-Legal Statements

• Babacar Ba, coordinator of the Forum du Justiciable, condemned Professor Arona Diouf's call to "find a trick" to stop Ousmane Sonko.
• Ba warned that any action against Sonko outside democratic rules would be a deviation from democracy and an attack on human dignity.
• He emphasized that political adversaries should compete with ideas and at the ballot box, not through maneuvers.
• Ba expressed hope that the President of the Republic would not heed such calls from activists.
• This condemnation follows a similar instance where Babacar Ba's criticism of Abdoul Aziz Diop's statements led to a police summons for Diop.

He firmly articulated the principle that political adversaries should engage in competition through the robust exchange of ideas and through the legitimate mechanism of the ballot box, rather than resorting to manipulative or underhanded tactics.

Babacar Ba, the coordinator of the Forum du Justiciable and a former Vice-President of OFNAC, has issued a strong condemnation regarding statements made by Professor Arona Diouf concerning Ousmane Sonko, the President of the National Assembly. Diouf's specific remarks, "Ousmane Sonko daniouko wara outal pékhé, il est temps de l’arrêter," which translates to "Ousmane Sonko, we must find a trick for him, it's time to stop him," were the direct catalyst for Ba's public rebuke. While Ba acknowledged that he was not fully aware of the precise context or the complete implications of Diouf's words, he unequivocally stated that any action targeting Sonko that falls outside the established democratic and legal frameworks would constitute a severe deviation from acceptable political conduct.

Ba's critique highlighted that such extra-legal maneuvers would not only inflict damage upon the democratic process but also represent a direct assault on human dignity. He firmly articulated the principle that political adversaries should engage in competition through the robust exchange of ideas and through the legitimate mechanism of the ballot box, rather than resorting to manipulative or underhanded tactics. The head of the Forum du Justiciable emphasized that statements of this nature have no legitimate place within a democratic society, signaling a profound concern for the integrity of Senegal's political discourse and the methods employed in political rivalry.

Babacar Ba's recent warning serves to underscore a critical commitment to the rule of law and the sanctity of democratic processes within Senegal, particularly as they pertain to political speech and engagement. His assertion that any attempt to target Ousmane Sonko through means that circumvent democratic procedures would set a dangerous precedent reflects a broader vigilance. This position is consistent with the objectives of the Forum du Justiciable Senegal, which advocates for a political environment where competition is founded on substantive debate and public accountability, rather than on clandestine or illicit strategies.

The former OFNAC Vice-President articulated a clear and principled vision for democratic conduct, emphasizing that the contest of ideas must always take precedence over any form of political manipulation. He also voiced a specific hope that the nation's President would refrain from giving credence to calls from activists who might advocate for actions that transgress established democratic norms. This appeal is significant, as it highlights the crucial role of national leadership in fostering an environment that consistently reinforces adherence to legal and ethical standards across the entire political spectrum, ensuring that political speech remains within acceptable boundaries.

This recent condemnation by Babacar Ba is not an isolated incident but rather forms part of a consistent pattern of advocacy for ethical political conduct and against inflammatory political statements. The current political climate in Senegal has indeed seen other Ousmane Sonko political statements attract considerable public and, at times, legal attention. In a separate but notably similar instance, Ba had previously characterized remarks attributed to Abdoul Aziz Diop, who served as a former political advisor to Macky Sall, as possessing "rare violence" and "extreme gravity." These earlier contentious statements were specifically directed against the President of the National Assembly.

Following Babacar Ba's pointed criticism of Diop's comments, the Dakar public prosecutor initiated a formal response. The prosecutor formally requested the Special Cybersecurity Division to issue a summons for Mr. Diop to appear for questioning, which led to his detention and subsequent trial. This sequence of events clearly illustrates that public commentary, particularly when it is perceived as undermining democratic institutions or potentially inciting unrest, can lead to formal legal scrutiny and the issuance of a police summons. This precedent further underscores the seriousness of Babacar Ba's current warning regarding Professor Arona Diouf's remarks and the potential consequences of political speech that deviates from democratic principles.

Lawyers should advise clients involved in political discourse or public commentary in Senegal on the legal boundaries of free speech, as statements perceived to undermine democratic processes or the rule of law are subject to condemnation from civil society and potential legal scrutiny, as evidenced by recent summonses.

Source: Original reporting via Senegal7