Top Senegalese opposition politician Sonko released from prison ahead of presidential election

By Hassan Isilow

Top Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been released from prison, 10 days ahead of the March 24 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 his ally Bassirou Diomaye 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."