Senegal’s Justice Minister Aissata Tal Sall announced that around 400 protesters would be released from prison.
They were arrested and detained during political demonstrations in March 2021 and June 2023.
Mr Sall did not say whether opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and presidential candidate Bachirou Diomai Faye would be released.
“The only thing I can say is that this is not a mass release; these are cases that are studied on a case-by-case basis according to the elements in the files,” she added.
The minister said the release of political prisoners was aimed at easing tensions in the country.
Political demonstrations are frequent in Senegal, resulting in arrests and deaths.
Most recently, three people were killed in protests against the cancellation of the country’s elections on February 25th.
The Minister of Justice said that an investigation is still underway to identify those responsible.