Senegal's opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently released from jail, has emerged as a strong presidential contender with the backing of popular leader Ousmane Sonko. The opposition is gaining momentum as support for President Macky Sall wanes. Faye, seen as incorruptible, is supported by former prime minister Aminata Toure and is appealing to urban youth frustrated by economic challenges. The coalition's proposals, including a new national currency and renegotiation of contracts, may concern regional allies and investors.

Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently released from jail, attracted hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential candidate. Supported by the popular Ousmane Sonko, Faye promises to tackle corruption and poses a significant threat to the ruling party. The opposition's momentum is growing as support for President Macky Sall declines. Faye and Sonko, both former tax inspectors, are seen as incorruptible and aim to change the political status quo. High-profile politicians, including former prime minister Aminata Toure, have also backed Faye. The opposition's proposals, such as creating a new national currency and renegotiating mining and energy contracts, may concern regional allies and investors.

Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently released from jail, attracted hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential candidate. Supported by the popular Ousmane Sonko, Faye promises to tackle corruption and presents a significant threat to the ruling party. With President Macky Sall stepping down due to term limits, the opposition gains momentum. High-profile politicians, including former prime minister Aminata Toure, back Faye, emphasizing his integrity. The opposition's proposals, such as creating a new national currency and renegotiating contracts, may concern regional allies and investors.

Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently released from jail, attracted hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential candidate. Supported by the popular Ousmane Sonko, Faye promises to tackle corruption and is seen as a serious threat to the ruling party. The opposition's momentum has increased as support for President Macky Sall has waned. Faye and Sonko, both former tax inspectors, are viewed as incorruptible and aim to change the political status quo. High-profile politicians, including former prime minister Aminata Toure, have also backed Faye.

Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently released from jail, drew hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential candidate. Supported by the popular Ousmane Sonko, Faye promises to tackle corruption and is seen as a serious threat to the ruling party. The opposition's momentum is growing as support for President Macky Sall declines. Faye and Sonko, both former tax inspectors, are viewed as incorruptible and aim to change the political status quo. High-profile politicians, including former prime minister Aminata Toure, have also backed Faye.

Sierra Leone's former president Ernest Bai Koroma has been charged with treason following a failed military coup attempt in November. The government is investigating the incident, which involved attacks on military barracks and a prison, resulting in the release of 2,200 inmates and over 20 deaths. Koroma's bodyguards are alleged to have led the coup, and the former president was summoned for questioning in December. The charges were read out in court, where Koroma's supporters expressed their distress.

Senegal has initiated a pilot scheme to alleviate overcrowding in prisons by releasing hundreds of inmates under electronic supervision with ankle monitors, the first such program in West Africa. The initiative aims to manage the high number of pre-trial detainees and those incarcerated for petty crimes who cannot make bail due to lack of official addresses. Critics argue that ankle monitors do not address the root causes of overcrowding and fear potential misuse for surveillance in authoritarian regimes. Despite these concerns, individuals who have experienced the ankle monitor prefer it over prison conditions. The program, led by Lieutenant Moussa Dieye, is currently monitoring around 240 people with the capacity for 1,000. Over half of Senegal's prison population are pre-trial detainees, and the country's prisons operate at 130% capacity. Amnesty International's Seydi Gassama highlights the program's limitations, including the exclusion of those in areas without electricity.

Senegal has launched a pilot scheme to alleviate overcrowding in prisons by releasing hundreds of inmates under electronic supervision with ankle monitors, the first initiative of its kind in West Africa. The program aims to reduce the prison population, which exceeds 13,000 with an occupancy level at 130% of capacity in 2018. Over half of the inmates are pre-trial detainees. The ankle monitors have been criticized for not addressing the root causes of overcrowding and potential overuse for surveillance in authoritarian regimes. However, for some detainees, the ankle monitor offers a preferable alternative to prison conditions. The current system can supervise around 240 people, with plans to expand. Challenges include a shortage of lawyers and magistrates, leading to long waits for trials, and the fact that the tag's requirement for charging excludes those in areas without electricity.

Senegal has initiated a pilot scheme to alleviate overcrowding in prisons by releasing hundreds of inmates under electronic supervision with ankle monitors, a first in West Africa. The program aims to address the issue of pre-trial detainees, which make up over half of the prison population, and the slow judicial process. Critics argue that ankle monitors do not address the root causes of overcrowding and may be misused for surveillance in authoritarian regimes. Despite these concerns, individuals who have experienced the ankle monitor prefer it to prison conditions. The current system can supervise around 240 people, with the potential to oversee 1,000, but faces challenges such as the high prison population and lack of electricity in poorer areas.

Senegal has initiated a pilot scheme to alleviate overcrowding in prisons by releasing hundreds of inmates under electronic supervision with ankle monitors, the first such program in West Africa. The program aims to address the issue of overcrowded prisons, which is common across Africa, with Senegal's prisons operating at 130% capacity in 2018. Critics argue that ankle monitors do not address the root causes of overcrowding, such as harsh penalties for minor offenses and slow judicial processes. The program currently monitors around 240 people but can handle up to 1,000. Over half of the inmates in Senegal are pre-trial detainees, and a lack of legal personnel has led to prolonged detentions. The effectiveness of the ankle monitor program is limited in areas without electricity, affecting around 30% of Senegal's population.