During his general policy speech on December 27, 2024, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced his intention to abolish the amnesty law passed under the presidency of former head of state Macky Sall.
A decision by the head of the Senegalese government which is far from surprising, since he committed to it during the legislative campaign.
Adopted on March 6, 2024, this law put an end to legal proceedings brought against facts relating to three years of political violence between 2021 and 2024 which left dozens of dead.
Following the promulgation of the amnesty law in March 2024, several people were released from prison, including Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the current Senegalese president, and Ousmane Sonko.
“In addition to the budgetary inclusion of credit intended for victims, a bill will be proposed to your august Assembly in the coming weeks to report the amnesty law passed on March 6, 2024 so that all the light is shed and the responsibilities established on whatever side they are located”declared Ousmane Sonko during his general policy speech to deputies, in comments reported by AFP.
The Senegalese Prime Minister also explained in detail the reasons which motivated him to put on the table this bill to repeal the amnesty law.
He then dismissed any suspicion of revenge, announcing that this decision was only taken to ensure lasting peace in Senegal.
«This is not a witch hunt, much less revenge. […]. It is about justice, the pillar without which no social peace can be built“, he assured.
