Senegal’s reckoning begins: justice probe launched into Sall-era political violence

Senegal has opened a long-awaited investigation into the political violence that rocked the country between 2021 and 2024,leaving over 80 people dead and many more injured or imprisoned.

Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne formally requested the probe,assigning Public Prosecutor Ibrahima Ndoye to lead efforts to identify those responsible — whether civilians,police,or political figures. The probe comes amid mounting pressure on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration,particularly from the influential Pastef party. Many see this as a test of the government’s promise to pursue justice and reform after the bloody crackdowns under former President Macky Sall. Though an amnesty law passed in Sall’s final days sought to shield many from prosecution,legal experts say serious crimes — like torture and extrajudicial killings — remain prosecutable.

However,analysts warn of legal and political obstacles,including immunity for security forces acting under official orders and the loss or suppression of key evidence. Critics within Pastef,including prominent figures like Waly Diouf Bodian,have expressed frustration at the slow pace of accountability and raised concerns over the neutrality of the Constitutional Council. Some have even called for its dissolution,a move that risks plunging Senegal into constitutional uncertainty. As summons begin,many hope this marks a genuine step toward justice — not a political smokescreen. But the road ahead is fraught with legal complexity and deep political tension.