Call to free Senegal opposition presidential candidate from jail
The Diomaye President Coalition has also demanded the urgent release of jailed opposition Pastef party leader Ousmane Sonko.
Supporters of opposition presidential election candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Sunday demanded his immediate release in the name of "equal treatment" under the constitution.
"All candidates must benefit from the constitutional principles of equal treatment," said a statement from the Diomaye President Coalition.
More To Read
- Ruto, world leaders say ready to work with new Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
- Senegal's youngest President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sworn in
- Senegal's top court confirms Bassirou Diomaye Faye as president-elect
- Senegal leader Macky Sall announces amnesty bill to end poll-linked turmoil
- Senegal candidates decry delay in setting new poll date
- 15 Senegal candidates call for election before President leaves office
"That's why the release without delay of candidate Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is a popular demand and respectful of the Constitution," the statement said.
The coalition noted the situation also required the urgent release of jailed opposition Pastef party leader Ousmane Sonko.
The Constitutional Court rejected Sonko's candidacy but accepted that of Faye, the party's number two, along with about 20 others.
Sonko has been in prison since July 2023 for calling for an uprising, associating with criminals linked to terrorism and harming state security.
Faye has been under preventive detention since April last year but has yet to face trial.
The European Union last month stressed that candidates approved by the Constitutional Council must all be allowed to campaign for election on equal terms.
Dozens of opposition supporters have been set free in recent days by President Macky Sall who says there are no political prisoners in Senegal.
The Diomaye coalition called for "all political prisoners who have been locked up unjustly to be immediately released".
Sall plunged traditionally stable Senegal deep into crisis by postponing at the last minute the February 25 election for his successor.
In power since 2012 but not running for a third term, Sall said he called off the vote over disputes about the disqualification of potential candidates and concern about a return to unrest seen in 2021 and 2023.
The Constitutional Council intervened on Thursday and Sall, under strong international and domestic pressure, back-pedalled agreed to its demand to organise the election as soon as possible, but no date was set.
Story by AFP
Top Stories Today
- Broken promises: Slum residents struggle for clean water as hygiene crisis deepens
- Five arrested after explosives hidden in milk carton are found on passenger bus
- TSC begins search for new CEO as Nancy Macharia’s tenure nears end
- I wasn't invited to elect Pope Francis' successor - Cardinal Njue
- Explosions heard in Sudanese city of Port Sudan, witness says
- TSC declares over 2,000 teaching posts vacant in bid to fill staffing gaps
- Taxpayers to fund Sh2.3 billion State House, lodges facelift
- E-mobility drive: Kenya Power to install 45 EV charging stations
- AU, IGAD step up efforts to revive South Sudan's stalled peace process
- Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale among regions to be affected by power blackouts
- Papal conclave: All cardinals who will elect new pope arrive in Rome
- Sudan's RSF launches second drone attack in Port Sudan
- National campaign launched to tackle GBV and femicide
- Bobi Wine aide brought to court limping, charged and remanded
- Congo, Rwanda submit draft peace proposal, Trump adviser says
- Inside Eastleigh SIM-swap heist: Sh3.2m stolen via fake accounts, IDs
- High Court halts order for Nyashinski to reveal Tecno deal in copyright row
- ICJ Kenya hails ruling declaring Worldcoin’s data collection unlawful
- Ministry sounds alarm as youth drug abuse spikes in 10 counties
- South Sudan invites AU and IGAD chiefs for crisis talks
