Senegalese courts released a journalist and an opposition candidate on Thursday who had been summoned over remarks critical of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, their lawyers confirmed. The two had publicly challenged the prime minister’s statements regarding the economic situation in Senegal, as discontent with the new government grows.
Journalist Cheikh Yerim Seck and Bougane Gueye Dany, an opposition candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, were interrogated after disputing Sonko’s claims that Senegal’s financial situation was catastrophic due to the previous administration’s manipulation of figures.
Both men were released without charges, according to their lawyers, Baboucar Cisse and Amadou Sall.
This comes as criticism intensifies against the government, which took office in April. Opposition parties and rights groups have decried a wave of detentions, legal proceedings, and police summons targeting political figures and journalists.
In a joint statement, Amnesty International and five other civil society organisations expressed deep concern over what they described as a systematic targeting of individuals for expressing dissenting opinions. They noted that, since April, six cases involving politicians, journalists, and activists have been documented.
The groups said these recent actions were reminiscent of repressive practices condemned under previous regimes. They criticised the government for failing to uphold its promise to end the politicisation of the justice system, a pledge made by current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Sonko, both of whom were previously detained under former president Macky Sall.
The opposition coalition Takku Wallu Senegaal, aligned with the former presidential party, accused the authorities of trying to “muzzle the opposition and the press,” warning that the country’s democratic system is at risk of turning into an authoritarian one.
Senegal is set to hold snap legislative elections on November 17.