Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – The Senegalese National Assembly has voted in favor of Bill No. 05/2025, which provides an official interpretation of the contentious Amnesty Law No. 2024-09, enacted on March 13, 2024. The legislative session, marked by intense debate, saw the approval of the bill’s key provisions with an overwhelming majority, despite vocal opposition from certain lawmakers and civil society groups.

During the vote, Article 1 of the bill secured 126 votes in favor and 19 against, with 145 deputies participating. Article 2 garnered 125 votes in favor and 17 against out of 143 participants. In the final vote on the bill in its entirety, 146 deputies cast their ballots, with 126 in favor and 20 opposing.

The passage of this interpretative law represents a critical moment in Senegal’s legislative process on amnesty, a subject that has sparked fierce debate within the National Assembly and beyond.

Supporters of the bill argue that it addresses ambiguities in the initial amnesty law and ensures legal clarity, while critics contend that it is a tool for political maneuvering, shielding certain individuals from accountability.

Opposition voices, particularly from figures such as Thierno Alassane Sall, have condemned the move, labeling it an attempt to favor alleged perpetrators over victims. Sall and others have called for a more comprehensive review of the amnesty framework to balance justice and reconciliation.

Throughout the legislative process, tensions ran high as opposition lawmakers, notably from the Takku Wallu parliamentary group, introduced 15 amendments to challenge the bill.

However, these amendments were ultimately not debated due to time constraints and procedural disputes. Pastef party member Ayib Daffé dismissed the amendments as “unfounded” and “a waste of time,” a stance echoed by Me Abdoulaye Tall, President of the Law Commission, who urged lawmakers to proceed with the vote.

The government has defended the bill, arguing that it brings much-needed legal stability and addresses concerns raised following the implementation of the original amnesty law.

With the strong backing of Pastef’s majority in the National Assembly, the bill’s adoption underscores the ruling party’s ability to push through key legislative measures despite opposition resistance.

While the law’s proponents hail it as a necessary clarification, its critics warn that it risks deepening political divisions and eroding public confidence in the amnesty process. As Senegal moves forward, the implications of this legal development will likely continue to spark debate in both political and civil society circles.