Senegal’s top opposition leader freed from prison ahead of presidential election this month
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison ahead of the presidential election later this month, triggering jubilant celebrations across the country’s capital.
Sonko is widely seen as the main challenger to President Macky Sall’s ruling party. As he left the prison complex on Thursday night, Sonko was greeted outside by crowds of supporters waving flags, chanting and holding up posters.
Sonko had been in prison since July and has fought a prolonged legal battle to run for president in the March 24 election. Sonko and his key ally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were both set free, his lawyer Bamba Cisse told The Associated Press.
It wasn’t immediately clear how their releases would impact the election. Faye was named the opposition’s election candidate after Sonko was barred from running.