The Senegalese opposition leader is hospitalized after a week-long hunger strike

  The leader of the opposition in Senegal, who has been on a hunger strike protesting his detention, has been hospitalized. That is according to the information given by his followers. Ousmane Sonko was admitted to the General Hospital located in the capital of Senegal, Dakar yesterday Sunday, according to information from his party which has now been dissolved and banned, Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF). Sonko, 49 years old, was arrested on July 28 on charges of planning rebellion, undermining government security and providing criminal cooperation to a terrorist group. The prominent opposition leader began his hunger strike two days later. PASTEF has noted in its statement that Sonko was admitted to the intensive care unit and has emphasized that the state authorities bear the "responsible" responsibility for his condition.

"Before his imprisonment, he was in good health and was not known to have any illness", added the statement. Cire Cledor Ly, one of Sonko's lawyers, has confirmed to the media the information about the politician's hospitalization but did not say anything about his condition. The Senegalese government has not yet released any information on the matter. Sonko, who came third in the West African country's presidential election in 2019, is loved by the country's youth. His arrest and dissolution of his party sparked violent protests in Dakar last week. At least two people died in the unrest and several others were injured. Sonko's supporters insist that the charges against him are part of the government's conspiracy to prevent him from running in the 2024 presidential election.