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Senegalese Opposition Activist Sonko May Soon Be Released Under Amnesty, Reports Say

In June 2023, Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on several charges, including inciting sedition, a verdict that then sparked a wave of protests in the country. The conviction jeopardized his eligibility to run for president in the February 2024 general election.
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Senegalese opposition activist Ousmane Sonko may soon be released from prison as part of a planned amnesty initiated by the country's President Macky Sall, local media Seneweb reported.
"A general amnesty measure should be adopted in the near future, leading to the release of Ousmane Sonko and others. The President of the Republic instructed the Minister of Justice at the last Council of Ministers to prepare a project to this effect, which should be adopted by the Council of Ministers," the report said.
The measure is said to affect not only those detained for their participation in the demonstrations, but also some of the country's politicians, notably the son of former Senegalese President Karim Wade, the media outlet added.
The report added that with the amnesty law, incumbent President Macky Sall wants to give everyone the opportunity to participate in the "national dialogue" and the presidential elections, which have been postponed until December.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Senegalese President Calls for Peace Process Amid Protests Over Postponed Elections
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Senegalese authorities had blocked access to the mobile Internet due to the spread of materials on social networks calling for protests against the postponement of the presidential election.
On Monday, Senegalese police dispersed a rally in front of the parliament with tear gas.
The protests in Senegal began on Monday after the president announced that he would revoke the decree convening the electoral council on February 25, meaning that the presidential election will not take place on that date.
Later, lawmakers in Senegal's parliament voted to extend Sall's mandate for six months, until December 15.
In his address to the nation in July 2023, Sall announced that he is not seeking re-election. Instead, he nominated the country's prime minister, Amadou Ba, as the ruling party's candidate for the election.