Senegal’s Diomaye urges free prisoners before polls

Supporters of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the presidential candidate representing the Diomaye President coalition, rallied on Sunday demanding his immediate release. They argue that his continued detention violates the constitutional principle of “equal treatment” for all candidates.

“The release of candidate Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is both a popular demand and a necessity for upholding the Constitution,” a statement from the coalition declared. They further emphasized the urgency of releasing the jailed leader of the Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, whose candidacy was rejected by the Constitutional Court.

Faye, currently number two in the Pastef party, was approved by the Court alongside 20 other candidates. However, he has been under preventive detention since April 2023 without facing trial. Sonko, on the other hand, has been imprisoned since July 2023 on charges of incitement to insurrection, association with criminals linked to terrorism, and harming state security.

The European Union has expressed concern, stating that all candidates approved by the Court should be given equal opportunity to campaign. This follows the recent release of dozens of opposition supporters by President Macky Sall, who maintains there are no political prisoners in Senegal.

The Diomaye President coalition demands “immediate release for all political prisoners who have been unjustly locked up.” Their statement highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the upcoming presidential election, originally scheduled for February 25th but postponed by Sall due to disputes over candidate disqualifications and fears of unrest.

Facing domestic and international pressure, Sall eventually backtracked and agreed to organize the election as soon as possible, though a new date remains pending. The political climate in Senegal, known for its relative stability, remains tense as accusations of electoral manipulation and calls for fair treatment of all candidates continue to dominate the pre-election landscape.

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