DAKAR: In Dakar, supporters of Senegalese opposition presidential election candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye have pleaded for his immediate release from detention, citing principles of equality under the constitution.
The Diomaye President coalition, representing Faye’s interests, emphasized the constitutional imperative of equal treatment for all candidates. Their statement underscored the urgent need for Faye’s release, echoing demands for justice and adherence to constitutional principles.
The coalition’s call for Faye’s freedom also encompassed the case of jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, highlighting the broader issue of political detainees in Senegal. While Sonko’s candidacy was rejected by the Constitutional Court, Faye’s was accepted, along with those of approximately 20 others.
Sonko has been incarcerated since July 2023 on charges including incitement to rebellion and alleged connections with terrorist-affiliated criminals. Faye, meanwhile, has been held in preventive detention since April of the same year, awaiting trial.
The European Union has emphasized the importance of allowing all approved candidates to campaign on equal terms, stressing the need for a level playing field in the electoral process.
President Macky Sall recently authorized the release of dozens of opposition supporters, asserting that there are no political prisoners in Senegal. However, the Diomaye President coalition called for the immediate release of all individuals unjustly detained for political reasons.
Human rights group Raddho echoed this sentiment, noting that while many detainees have been freed in recent days, numerous individuals remain incarcerated under harsh conditions.
Sall’s decision to postpone the February 25 election, citing concerns over candidate disqualifications and potential unrest, has plunged Senegal into a period of uncertainty. However, following intervention by the Constitutional Council and pressure from both domestic and international stakeholders, Sall has agreed to organize the election as soon as possible, although a specific date has not yet been set.
