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March 18, 2024

Senegal Releases Opposition Leaders Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye Ahead of Elections
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In Senegal, opposition leaders Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye
have been released from prison ahead of next Sunday's rescheduled
presidential election. Their release comes after outgoing President
Macky Sall granted the men amnesty. Sall had sought to postpone the
elections until after his term ends in April, but was forced to
backtrack following protests and after a court ruled the move was
unlawful. Bassirou Diomaye Faye is one of 19 candidates who will appear
on the ballot. He is backed by the popular opposition figure Ousmane
Sonko, who himself is barred from running. President Sall has named
former Prime Minister Amadou Ba as his pick to succeed him.


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