DAKAR, Senegal – Ousmane Sonko, the prominent Senegalese opposition leader, along with his fellow presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison on Thursday evening, just 10 days before the scheduled election. The release came after weeks of turmoil and crisis, following the decision by President Macky Sall to postpone the February 25 presidential vote.
Sonko, who has been a key figure in the opposition and a vocal critic of the government, has spent months behind bars, with various charges levied against him. The legal case, coupled with economic and social tensions, led to violent unrest between 2021 and 2023. Despite his disqualification from the 2024 election, Sonko endorsed Faye, who had also been imprisoned since April 2023, to be his replacement on the ballot.
The release of Sonko and Faye has the potential to significantly impact the presidential campaign, as Sonko’s powerful rhetoric resonates strongly with young voters. Faye, one of the main contenders for the presidency, has been unable to directly address voters since the start of the campaign on March 9.
Prior to their release, rumors circulated on social media that Sonko could be freed, leading to celebrations among the populace. Residents of Dakar took to the streets, waving Senegalese flags and chanting their support for Sonko. President Sall had proposed a bill granting amnesty for acts committed in connection with political demonstrations since 2021, in an attempt to resolve the ongoing crisis. It remains unclear whether the release of Sonko and Faye falls under this amnesty law.
Senegal, often seen as a pillar of stability in West Africa, has experienced bouts of unrest in recent years. Since 2021, violent clashes have erupted, resulting in numerous deaths and hundreds of arrests. Sonko has been both revered and controversial in the midst of this turmoil. While some view him as an agitator, others see him as a champion of the people.
Sonko has consistently maintained that there was a conspiracy to prevent him from participating in the 2024 election, while his camp and the government have traded blame for the violence. He has faced multiple convictions, including defamation and corruption charges. His political party has also been dissolved.
President Sall, who will not be seeking re-election this year, initially postponed the presidential vote in February, sparking further clashes and turmoil. The election has now been rescheduled for March 24, after a month of political crisis.
The release of Sonko and Faye has the potential to reshape the political landscape leading up to the election. As the campaigns continue, the Senegalese people eagerly await the opportunity to cast their votes and determine the future direction of their country.