The release of the prisoners was called for by a large part of the population, but also by opposition leaders. At the Council of Ministers meeting on 7 February, the Head of State, Macky Sall, instructed the Minister of Justice to take measures to « pacify the public sphere », reaffirming his determination to engage in « a pragmatic process of appeasement and reconciliation ». A week after this statement, the spectre of detention has receded for several individuals arrested during demonstrations, for calls for insurrection or statements undermining state security.

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Among those granted provisional release are the mayor of Parcelles Assainies, Djamil Sané, Toussaint Manga, deputy SG of the former Pastef party, Fadilou Keïta, a member of the party and coordinator of the « Nemeku Tour », his comrade Dr Seydou Diallo, Pape Abdoulaye Touré, Abdou Karim Guèye « Khrum Khak », Pr Cheikh Oumar Diagne, the rapper Mor Talla Guèye alias « Nit Doff », as well as Aliou Sané, coordinator of the « Y’en a marre » movement, and Yarga Sy, an airport security agent working at AIBD, who was accused of spraying liquid at Ousmane Sonko, his political leader, on the day of the Mame Mbaye Niang-Sonko trial, when he was pulled from his vehicle by elements of the Gign. Also on the list is Sen Tv preacher Oustaz Assane Seck, who was jailed last May for undermining state security, calling for insurrection, and acts and manoeuvres to disrupt public order.

After their release, it is a moment of relief and gratitude for those who pleaded on their behalf.

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However, the decision is likely to raise questions about the underlying motives of the authorities and the future direction of the country’s politics. While some see the release as a gesture of goodwill on the part of the government, an attempt to rebuild trust with sections of the population who felt marginalised or repressed, others remain sceptical, fearing that the move is merely a political manoeuvre to appease domestic and international critics, without any real commitment to lasting change. On social networks, particularly the X social network, the news spread quickly. « The mass release of political detainees is not an event. These people shouldn’t even be in prison », wrote one Internet user.

Sonko’s supporters are still sticking to their guns, namely the organisation of an election on the due date. « Communication must focus on organising the election. We want our election on 25 February », he said. And for the honourable MP Ayib Daffé, « the fight goes on ».
By Ousmane SOW