Senegalese leader says no 'revenge' after election

ADDS DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) –Top Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was just been released from prison, said Friday that there will be “no revenge” when the opposition candidate he is backing wins the March 24 presidential poll.

“This is not the time for revenge. There will be no revenge, but there will be justice. We have a big project ahead of us. So, we don't have time for a witch hunt. But let it be clear: There will be no impunity,” Sonko said at a news conference in the capital, Dakar.
Speaking alongside his allied presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sonko urged young people to turn up massively on Election Day and secure the vote after casting ballots to prevent possible rigging.

Sonko predicted Faye, one of the main candidates, would win with not less than 60% in the first round.

The Supreme Court upheld on Friday that the presidential election must be held March 24, dismissing attempts to have the poll date pushed back by opposition politician Karim Wade, who claimed the campaign period was insufficient.

Sonko was released from prison Thursday, 10 days ahead of the presidential election, causing huge celebrations in the capital Dakar, according to local television.

State broadcaster RTS reported late Thursday that Sonko was released, along with Faye who was named as the opposition presidential candidate after Sonko was barred from contesting.

Popular among young voters, Sonko ranked third in the 2019 presidential polls.

The 49-year-old opposition leader has had a standoff with the state for nearly two years, and has been in prison since July 2023 facing several charges.

His arrest led to several riots in the West African country in 2021-2023.

Senegal also witnessed mass protests earlier this year after President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the Feb. 25 presidential elections.

RTS said Sonko and Faye’s release follows the promulgation of the law relating to general amnesty, adopted a few days ago by the majority of deputies of the National Assembly.

The legislative text cancels “all acts likely to qualify as criminal or correctional offenses committed between Feb. 1, 2021 and Feb. 25, 2024, either in Senegal and abroad, relating to demonstrations or having political motives."