Senegal Main Opposition Leader Convicted; Can Still Run in Vote
- Sonko gets suspended two-month prison sentence, $333,000 fine
- Trial stoked nationwide protests before next year’s election
Ousmane Sonko
Photographer: Muhamadou Bittaye/AFP/Getty Images
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A Dakar court sentenced Ousmane Sonko, the most prominent challenger to President Macky Sall in next year’s presidential elections, to a two-months suspended prison sentence for defaming a government minister.
Sonko, 48, was also fined 200 million CFA francs ($333,000), Macoudou Ndour, a member of the defense team, said by phone Thursday from the capital, Dakar. The ruling doesn’t disqualify Sonko from running for public office, he said.