Senegal’s top opposition leaders released from prison as elections loom
Al Jazeera
Freedom for Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye could dramatically alter the election race.
Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison, triggering jubilant celebrations outside the prison as well as across Dakar, the capital.
State broadcaster RTS reported Sonko was freed along with key ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye late on Thursday.
Their release comes after a crisis triggered by President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the February 25 presidential vote and was expected following last week’s passage of an amnesty law for acts committed in connection with political demonstrations since 2021.
The election, which authorities wanted to postpone for 10 months, is now due to take place on March 24.
“They came out in front of us,” said lawyer Cheikh Koureyssi Ba.
