Senegalese Woman Who Accused Opposition Leader Of Rape Pays Dearly

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in African News May 15, 2021

Adji Sarr is a Senegalese woman who accused the leader of the opposition of rape. She has come to learn in the hardest way possible, the consequences of speaking out about sexual abuse in the conservative West African country.

In February, Sarr who is in her early 20s told police that opposition leader Ousmane Sonko forced her to sleep with him on multiple occasions. She also said he threatened reprisals if she refused.

This move sparked off political unrest in Senegal. Police arrested Sonko subsequently triggering the worst political firestorm the country had seen in years.

Thousands of people, mostly younger youths took to the streets in nationwide protests that ended in the death of at least 10 people.

Protestors looted shops, threw stones at the policemen, and set cars on fire on the streets during the demonstrations. The unrest only relaxed after a judge released Sonko from detention in March.

In addition to his release, President Macky Sall lifted unpopular coronavirus-related restrictions which calmed down people even more.

46-year-old Sonko denied the rape allegations against him saying Sall was behind it all, claims which President Sall denied in turn.

According to Sarr’s lawyers, she had, at the time, gone into hiding for fear of her own safety. Some people have said that the controversies will silence other women from speaking about sexual abuse.

Although Sonko was released, the rape charge against him still stands. It is not clear when he will face a court date.

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