Senegal’s Justice Minister, Ousmane Diagne, has officially requested an in-depth investigation into the wave of political violence that shook the country between 2021 and 2024. In a letter to the Attorney General, Diagne emphasized the need to uncover the truth behind the deadly unrest that claimed at least 80 lives and left dozens injured.

Appointed to lead the probe is Dakar’s Prosecutor of the Republic, Ibrahima Ndoye, who is tasked with determining accountability and recommending legal action where warranted. The investigation will examine the roles of civilians, law enforcement officers, and political figures, with a particular focus on potential human rights violations—including reported cases of torture during the unrest.

The inquiry comes despite a controversial amnesty law enacted during the final days of former President Macky Sall’s administration. While the law initially cast doubt on prospects for justice, legal experts maintain that grave offenses such as torture and extrajudicial killings remain outside its protective scope.

The first summons are expected to be issued in the coming weeks, beginning with victims of torture and families of the deceased. As Senegal takes its first formal steps toward justice, the nation must now reckon with one of the most turbulent and painful periods in its recent democratic history.