Senegal Govt Announces Compensation for Victims of Political Violence Under Former President Macky Sall

The Senegalese government has announced financial compensation for the families of victims of political violence that occurred between 2021 and 2024.

Each bereaved family will receive 15,300 euros (10 million FCFA), while more than 2,000 former detainees and other victims will be granted 769 euros (500,000 FCFA) each. The families will also benefit from additional social and healthcare support.

The political unrest, which officially claimed 79 lives, stemmed from tensions over former President Macky Sall’s potential third-term bid and the legal troubles of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was accused of rape in 2021. Protests erupted across the country, leading to deadly clashes. In December 2023, the government allocated 7.6 million euros (5 billion FCFA) for these compensations.

The announcement comes amid Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s pledge to repeal the amnesty law passed in March 2024 under Macky Sall’s administration.

This law released hundreds of political detainees, including Sonko and his ally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who became president. Sonko’s push to repeal the amnesty law shows a political shift, signalling a potential reopening of legal proceedings related to the violence.

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