Senegal’s parliament on Wednesday approved significant revisions to the country’s controversial amnesty law, a move that could allow the prosecution of security forces and former government officials accused of human rights violations. The amendment, passed after nearly eleven hours of debate, received overwhelming support from lawmakers, with 126 votes in favor—mostly from the ruling Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (PASTEF) party. Only 20 legislators opposed the changes.
Crucially, the revised law removes previous exceptions for crimes such as torture, assassination, and murder, potentially opening the door for accountability regarding past abuses.
The original amnesty law was enacted in March 2024 during the final days of former President Macky Sall’s administration. It played a key role in securing the release of current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, from prison, enabling them to campaign in the election that saw Faye claim a decisive victory. Senegal endured years of political turmoil from 2021 to 2024, marked by violent opposition-led protests against Sall’s government. During this period, at least 65 people lost their lives—51 of them from gunfire, allegedly at the hands of security forces.
With the revised amnesty law now in place, victims’ families and human rights advocates are pushing for justice, raising expectations that security personnel and former officials implicated in past abuses could finally face legal consequences.
