Senegal’s top opposition leaders released from prison ahead of vote

Thousands of supporters of the Senegalese opposition leaders Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye were celebrating on Friday after the two appeared from prison in Dakar.

State broadcaster RTS announced Sonko was freed along with essential associate Bassirou Diomaye Faye late on Thursday.

Their release comes after a disaster caused by President Macky Sall’s choice to suspend the February 25 presidential election and was expected following last week’s passage of an amnesty law for acts dedicated in connection with political protests since 2021.

The election, which the Government wanted to delay for 10 months, is now due to take place on March 24.