Their release sparked scenes of jubilation in the Senegalese capital.
Senegalese opponent Ousmane Sonko and his second-in-command, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, presidential candidate, were released from prison in Dakar on the evening of Thursday March 14, ten days before the election, according to one of their lawyers.
“They came out in front of us. That’s it,” Me Cheikh Khouraissy Ba told AFP.
An AFP journalist saw a 4x4 moving away in a procession from the Cape Manuel prison through a considerable crowd drawn by the news of the release.
Their release was expected, while Parliament adopted on March 6 an amnesty bill wanted by Macky Sall with the aim of easing political tensions.
Read alsoPresidential election in Senegal: “the Sonko movement” is reorganized around Bassirou Diomaye Faye
With AFP and Reuters
The France 24 summary of the week
invites you to look back at the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application