Senegal’s parliament recently approved modifications to the country’s amnesty law, potentially enabling investigations and prosecutions of security officials and former government members accused of abuses. Out of 126 lawmakers, predominantly from the ruling Pastef party, voted in favor of the reforms, while 20 legislators opposed them after an extensive eleven-hour debate.

The revisions to the law include the removal of exceptions for torture, assassination, and murder. The amnesty law, implemented in March by the previous administration under President Macky Sall, significantly benefited the current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, leading to their release from prison to campaign in the election that Faye won decisively.

During Senegal’s political turmoil spanning from 2021 to 2024, 65 individuals lost their lives, with 51 deaths resulting from gunfire, mainly during opposition-led protests.

Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/04/03/senegal-goes-after-macky-sall-era-officials-with-amnesty-law-change/