Senegal Launches Official Probe into Deadly 2021-2024 Political Violence
Senegal has officially initiated a formal investigation into the widespread and often deadly political violence that gripped the nation between 2021 and 2024. This significant move, announced by Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne, aims to shed light on a period of intense unrest that resulted in numerous casualties and raised serious concerns about human rights.
Details of the Official Probe:
Initiator: Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne formally requested the probe in a letter addressed to the Attorney General. This underscores the new government's commitment to addressing the grievances stemming from the previous administration's handling of dissent.
Period Covered: The investigation will focus on acts of political violence that occurred between 2021 and 2024. This timeframe encompasses several key periods of heightened tension and protests in Senegal.
Objective: The primary goal of the probe is to bring clarity to the events, identify those responsible for the violence, and ensure accountability. This is a crucial step towards national reconciliation and preventing future recurrences.
Casualties: Reports indicate that at least 80 people were killed and dozens more seriously injured during clashes with security forces or in skirmishes between civilians throughout the period under investigation. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, have independently documented significant fatalities, with some estimates citing at least 65 deaths, mostly by firearms.
Context of the Political Violence (2021-2024):
The violence stemmed from a series of escalating political tensions, primarily centered around the actions of the former government and the opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko:
Ousmane Sonko's Legal Troubles: Protests first erupted in March 2021 following the arrest of then-opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on rape allegations. His supporters viewed these charges as politically motivated attempts by the former government of President Macky Sall to sideline a popular challenger ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.
"Third Term" Speculation: Further unrest was fueled by speculation that then-President Macky Sall might seek a controversial third term, despite constitutional term limits. Although Sall eventually announced he would not run, this prolonged uncertainty contributed to widespread public frustration.
2023-2024 Protests: Mass protests continued into June 2023 after Sonko's conviction for "corrupting young people," which potentially disqualified him from the presidential race. These protests were particularly violent, leading to more deaths and hundreds of arrests.
Election Postponement (February 2024): The crisis reached a peak in February 2024 when President Macky Sall unilaterally postponed the presidential election, which was originally scheduled for February 25. This decision, criticized as a "constitutional coup" by opponents, triggered further widespread protests and clashes, though the Constitutional Court later deemed the delay unlawful.
Amnesty Law (March 2024): In March 2024, the Senegalese Parliament enacted an amnesty law covering criminal acts related to political protests or having political motivations committed between February 1, 2021, and February 25, 2024. This law granted amnesty to both protesters and opposition leaders, as well as government and security officials. While intended for reconciliation, human rights organizations heavily criticized it for potentially granting impunity for serious human rights violations and denying victims justice.
Significance of the New Probe:
The decision to open this official probe under the new government of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (who won the delayed March 2024 elections) signals a departure from the previous administration's approach.
Commitment to Justice: The probe suggests a commitment to accountability and justice for victims, a stark contrast to the previous amnesty law which many saw as a blanket pardon. Prime Minister Sonko had, in fact, campaigned on a promise to repeal the amnesty law and bring justice to victims.
Reconciliation: While aimed at justice, the probe is also expected to contribute to national reconciliation by providing a clearer understanding of the events and acknowledging the suffering caused.
Democratic Consolidation: For a country long seen as a bastion of democracy in West Africa, this investigation is crucial for restoring public trust in institutions and consolidating democratic norms after a tumultuous period.
The official probe is expected to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, injuries, and arrests that occurred, potentially leading to prosecutions for those found responsible for grave human rights abuses.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
