Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, accusing him of perpetuating the war in Gaza for his “own political survival.”
Speaking at a rally of several hundred people at the Grand Mosque of Dakar, Sonko called for the “isolation” of Israel to end what he described as “barbarity” supported by some Western countries.
“We have an Israeli Prime Minister whose power and political survival depend on this war, who is willing to trample over thousands of corpses to remain in office and avoid facing justice in his own country,” Sonko said, addressing the crowd with a Palestinian flag draped around his neck.
Sonko highlighted the need to unite those who oppose this perceived injustice and advocate for a political solution that involves isolating the Israeli state.
The PM also condemned the ongoing Israeli operations in Palestinian territories as “extermination” and highlighted the “injustice” faced by Palestinians since the establishment of Israel in 1948.
The Senegalese Prime Minister noted the “numerous divisions” that hinder Muslims and Africans from presenting a unified voice on the crisis.
He pointed out that while some Muslim-majority countries have remained silent, visible support for Palestinians has come from South Africa and certain Latin American countries, where Muslims are a minority.
Sonko criticized those who champion democracy and human rights but support and arm Israel, underscoring a perceived hypocrisy in their stance.