Senegalese Opposition Leaders Sonko and Faye Released from Prison Before Elections

Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, two opposition leaders in Senegal, were released from prison on Thursday evening, ten days before the presidential election scheduled for March 24. The release of these politicians was met with jubilation from their supporters who gathered outside the prison, waving flags, chanting, and holding up posters. Sonko had been at the center of a two-year standoff with the government, leading to deadly unrest between 2021 and 2023. He endorsed Faye as his replacement before being imprisoned since July 2022. The impact of their releases on the election is uncertain. Sonko is known for his charisma and anti-establishment stance, promising to fight corruption, which has won him a large following among young people. Faye was also released from prison in the same night.