By Biran Gaye
The leader of the PASTEF Ousmane Sonko on Saturday promised to withdraw the amnesty law if the ruling party obtains a majority in the National Assembly.
Sonko made this commitment at a campaign rally in Ziguinchor ahead of the legislative elections on November 17.
Senegal’s National Assembly had adopted the amnesty bill covering violence that occurred during political demonstrations between 2021 and 2024. The draft law, adopted by the Council of ministers on 28 February 2024, was premised on the “spirit of national reconciliation” and the “preservation of the rule of law and the republic”, the former regime had argued.
This law, which was passed in March 2024, grants amnesty to “all acts that could be classified as criminal or correctional offences committed between 1 February 2021 and 25 February 2024, either in Senegal and abroad, relating to demonstrations or having political motivations (…)”.
The decision came after a period marked by protests, resulting in numerous arrests, casualties, and extensive property damage. Repressions of demonstrations, voluntary blackouts and attacks on the media have become frequent in Senegal since March 2021. Amnesty International estimates that at least 60 people have been fatally shot by security forces during these demonstrations.
The head of the Pastef list, Ousmane Sonko, vows: “After having won an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly, our first act will be to withdraw the amnesty law. There can be no impunity… We have never agreed on this law, an amnesty law that creates impunity for assassins.”
“This draft law would be a denial of justice for victims, as well as their families, who are waiting for justice, truth and reparations. By passing such a law, the Senegalese state would not only fail in its national and international obligations, but also promote impunity for blood crimes,” Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Samira Daoud, said at the time.
Prior to its submission to a parliamentary vote, the draft amnesty law was endorsed during the national dialogue of 26-27 February, which was convened in response to the political crisis the country following the President’s unilateral suspension of the presidential election process on 3 February 2024. The cabinet of Senegal has approved an amnesty law during its session on Wednesday evening.
