Africa

Senegal MPs debate contentious amnesty bill amid election crisis

Demonstrators hold placards during a march in Dakar, Senegal on March 2, 2024, against the new amnesty law and for elections to be held before April 2, 2024. (Photo:John Wessels/ AFP)

By AFP | Wednesday, March 6, 2024

The amnesty is part of President Macky Sall's response to turmoil sparked by his last-minute postponement of the presidential election, originally scheduled for February 25, 2024.

Senegalese MPs on Wednesday debated an amnesty bill covering acts linked to deadly protests in recent years, a controversial text aimed at calming the crisis sparked by the presidential election delay.

Criticism of the bill as shielding the perpetrators of serious crimes, including homicides, and the potential for political manoeuvres, means its passage is uncertain. A vote is expected later today.

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The amnesty is part of President Macky Sall's response to the turmoil sparked by his last-minute postponement of the presidential election, originally scheduled for February 25, 2024.

The poll delay triggered deadly protests in the traditionally stable West African country, which is still awaiting a new election date.

Senegal's Constitutional Council could announce a new date at any moment.

Adding to the air of uncertainty, it is still unclear what will happen if an election is not held before the end of Sall's term on April 2.

An amnesty law could plunge the country further into the unknown.

Questions have swirled around whether an amnesty would be applied to imprisoned opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, and what this would mean for his possible return to the presidential race.

The bill would grant an amnesty for "all acts likely to be classified as criminal or correctional offences committed between February 1, 2021, and February 25, 2024, both in Senegal and abroad, relating to demonstrations or having political motivations".

The text's rapporteur, Abdoulaye Diagne, said Wednesday that acts of torture were excluded from the scope of the law.

'Calm political climate'

Senegal witnessed several episodes of deadly unrest between 2021 and 2023, triggered in particular by a bitter stand-off between Sonko and the state.

Dozens were killed, hundreds injured, and hundreds more arrested in riots which saw clashes with security forces and major property damage.

Sonko, who came third in the 2019 presidential election, has been detained since July 2023 and was disqualified from this year's presidential race.

Senegal experienced renewed deadly unrest in February after the delay to the election.

The presidency has said the amnesty is intended to "calm the political and social climate".

Dozens of opponents could be freed as soon as the law is published, but many political and social actors oppose the bill.

They fear it will be used to exonerate government and security officials for the deaths of protesters.

The bill is also not unanimously supported by the president's parliamentary camp, which holds a precarious majority.

A section of civil society and the opposition continues to demand an election before April 2, with a new rally called on Wednesday in the capital Dakar.

Sall on Monday received the conclusions of a "national dialogue" recommending elections be held on June 2 and suggesting he remain in office until his successor is installed.

The president, who has been in power since 2012 but is not seeking re-election, has said he will seek the opinion of the Constitutional Council