In Senegal, an important security device was placed near the National Assembly on Friday, June 25, where draft amendments to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code must be reviewed by deputies. The majority assures that it is about “strengthening the fight against terrorism”. The opposition condemns “liberticidal” texts against the right to demonstrate.
as reported from Dakar, Charlotte idrac
“We are not terrorists” is one of the slogans of the opponents of these amendments on “the definition of criminal association” and “the definition of terrorist acts”. For Parliament’s opposition, these changes are equated with general disorder with terrorism. “Unacceptable”, according to her and M2D, the movement for the defense of democracy that supports Ousmane Sonko. They started the warning on Thursday afternoon and demanded demonstrations in front of the congregation. For them “the concept of terrorism should not be used as a pretext to block political opponents”.
“False”, answers the majority, who accuse the opposition of making “systematic misinformation”. For the Benno Bokk Yakaar parliamentary group, these bills are rather aimed at combating terrorism more effectively “which has become more complex in its organization, in its tools”. It was therefore necessary to supplement the legislative arsenal. In addition to the controversial points, the texts refer in particular to the financing of terrorism or even maritime piracy.
This new confrontation comes after the violent riots in March and two days after the anniversary of the business of June 23, 2011. This popular protest movement led then-President Abdoulaye Wade to abandon his constitutional reform project.
.
