By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Senegalese government says it will investigate dozens of deaths from political violence that took place in the West African nation between 2021 and 2024.
“To leave these deaths unpunished would send a bad signal,” Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne told members of Parliament on Saturday. “We assure you that all light will be shed.”
He added, “Responsibility will be established, and those who instigated them will be held accountable.”
Senegal witnessed three years of unrest under the administration of the immediate past President, Macky Sall, who ruled from 2012 to 2024.
According to NGOs and the opposition at the time, dozens of deaths were recorded during these unrests.
In March, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected President.
Shortly before the election, the former administration pushed through an amnesty covering those events.
The rushed law was intended to ease tensions in the run-up to the presidential vote and allowed hundreds of people to be released from prison, including Faye and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, who have, however, vowed to repeal it.
Parliament on Saturday also abolished two consultative institutions, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) and the High Council of Local Authorities (HCCT), which the new government sees as a waste of public funds.
Last month, Senegal elected a new Parliament, with Faye’s party winning 130 of the 165 seats.
