Sall wants to succeed António Guterres as secretary-general of the United Nations...

Former Senegalese president Macky Sall has challenged the government to repeal an amnesty law covering violence during political protests between 2021 and 2024, as pressure grows to investigate the unrest.

Dozens of people were killed when Sall’s administration cracked down on demonstrations linked to his standoff with opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, who now serves as prime minister.

An amnesty law was adopted in March 2024, in the final days of Sall’s presidency, in what authorities said was an effort to ease political tensions.

However, the new government has pledged to revisit the events and ensure justice for victims despite the legislation.

“If people want to revisit the events, there are ways: the amnesty law must be repealed,” Sall said in a video posted on social media.

“At that point, cases will resurface. We will know who is who and who did what. You can’t accuse the president of the republic… and say he is responsible for murders,” he added.

Sall rejected allegations linking him directly to the killings, asking: “Which murder is he responsible for? Did the president order anyone to go and kill young people?”

He described such claims as “a narrative that runs counter to reality” and “totally out of step with reality.”

Sall, who is seeking to succeed António Guterres as secretary-general of the United Nations, made the remarks after meeting non-governmental organisations in New York.

At the end of last month, about 20 member states of the African Union, including Senegal, declined to support his candidacy.

At least 65 people were killed between March 2021 and February 2024 during protests led by the opposition, according to a toll compiled by journalists and researchers. Of those, 51 died from gunfire, most of them young people.

Many others were injured or detained, while officials in the new administration have put the death toll at more than 80.