Senegal’s President Macky Sall has instructed his government to enact an amnesty law promptly upon its official publication, raising expectations for the potential release of a prominent opposition candidate currently detained, with just 10 days remaining until the presidential election.
Seeking to resolve a protracted crisis following the postponement of the presidential vote initially scheduled for February 25, Sall has proposed legislation offering amnesty for actions associated with political demonstrations dating back to 2021.
The bill, which was endorsed by Members of Parliament last week, is anticipated to be published imminently, although there is no official confirmation regarding its release date.
The imprisoned anti-establishment candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the detained leader of his coalition, Ousmane Sonko, stand to be the primary beneficiaries of this legislation.
Speculation concerning their potential release has circulated widely, yet it remains uncertain whether their cases would fall under the purview of the proposed law.
The implementation of such legislation is poised to significantly reshape the landscape of the presidential campaign, particularly given Sonko’s influential rhetoric resonating with the youth electorate.
