Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced on Friday that his government will introduce legislation to repeal the controversial amnesty law enacted by former President Macky Sall.
The law, passed on March 6, 2024, had shielded individuals implicated in deadly political violence between February 2021 and February 2024.
Critics argue the law was designed to protect perpetrators of serious crimes, including homicides, committed during this turbulent period.
However, it also cleared the path for Sonko, previously barred from elections due to court convictions, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who ultimately won the presidency, to contest in the polls.
“In addition to including compensation for victims in the budget, a draft law will be presented to your esteemed Assembly to repeal the March 6, 2024, amnesty law, ensuring accountability and justice on all sides,” Sonko stated in his policy address to lawmakers.
Earlier this month, Sonko’s government committed to investigating the dozens of deaths caused by political violence during the three-year unrest.
“This is not a witch hunt, nor an act of vengeance. It is about justice — the essential foundation for lasting social peace,” Sonko emphasized.
