Hundreds of protesters were at Place de la Nation in Senegal’s capital on Friday making their demands heard for the release of the political detainees arrested in March.
At least 13 were killed in the demonstrations held in support of the opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko who was held over rape allegations.
The Friday protest was organized by the Movement for the Defence of Democracy – M2D.
Leader of the Pastef party, Sonko, told the crowd, “… the state of grace is over!”
“May Macky Sall be ready,” he warned.
Sonko is considered a potential challenger to Sall in the 2024 election.
While calling for the release of political detainees, Sonko remarked “…we will no longer accept the state’s arbitrary imprisonment of opposition political leaders and civil society figures.”
A former detainee who chose to remain anonymous admits, “I was one of those who were in prison, I spent a month in prison, I am not afraid of prison. We ask Macky Sall to release these kids because their place is not in prison. They had come out to fight for democracy, for freedom.”
The M2D has another rally scheduled for June 23.