In the very uncertain context experienced by Senegal, 344 people have been released since Thursday February 15, according to Aïssata Tall Sall, the Minister of Justice. Others should follow. In front of the press this Tuesday, February 20, she explained these releases with a “ desire for appeasement “.
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With our special correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
Of the ” political prisoners » released For “ political reasons » ? It is ” false, completely false », assures Aïssata Tall Sall. Concerning the ex-Pastef candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the opponent Ousmane Sonko, both detained, the files are assessed “ case by case », replies the minister.
“ What we are doing, we are not doing it massively, like that, at our discretion or at the direction of the client. Will we have yet another batch of files to assess objectively? Certainly yes. But when I say yes, it doesn’t mean liberation for everyone. Everything is possible according to the law, depending on the elements that appear in the file. » The recent releases are “ provisional freedoms », Underlines the Keeper of the Seals.
Civil society is calling for the release of Ousmane Sonko, it has the right. We will process the files without any bias, without being arbitrary. […]
Aïssata Tall Sall on Ousmane Sonko
As for the continuation of the process after the postponement of the presidential election, Aïssata Tall Sall recalls the call for dialogue launched by President Macky Sall. “ I don’t yet know the terms of reference or the topics to be discussed. Will Bassirou Diomaye Faye go to the dialogue? There are two conditions for this: that he is free and that he accepts. » She specifies, however: “ Being a candidate is not a condition of provisional release. »
Should the presidential election be held by April 2, the date the president’s mandate expires, as demanded by fifteen candidates and civil society organizations? “ It is a debate between jurists, between constitutionalists “, replies Aïssata Tall Sall, “ April 2 will arrive inch’allah, and let’s watch what happens “.