Senegal’s Opposition Leaders Sonko, Faye Freed

Late reports Thursday say opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Faye, PASTEF party candidate in the March 24 president elections, have been freed. President Macky Sall had called on parliament to pass an amnesty bill for acts committed in connection with political demonstrations since 2021. Sonko’s name was removed from competing in the elections after he was convicted for having sex with a minor. He had said the charges were all politically motivated to keep him from running for president. Senegalese political analyst Ibrahima Kane tells VOA’s James Butty, he hopes Sonko’s release might inject renewed enthusiasm into the campaign, with about a week before Senegalese vote.