Mauritanian activist Warda Souleymane has been sentenced to 5 years in prison, with 3 years served, for her alleged role in inciting violence against the government. According to her lawyer, Yacoub Seif, the conviction was based on a falsification of her statements by the prosecution. Souleymane was accused of calling for a popular uprising against the regime of President Mohamed Ghazouani.
The controversy surrounding Souleymane's conviction centers on a Facebook post in which she allegedly called for citizens to take to the streets to protest the government. However, her lawyer claims that the prosecution altered her words, transforming them into a call to take up arms against the government and overthrow the constitutional system. This alleged alteration formed the basis of two serious charges against Souleymane.
The prosecution's charges against Souleymane included "attack on the constitutional system" and "insults to the President of the Republic." These charges were based on Article 3 of the Law on Symbols and Article 83 of the Penal Code. However, her lawyer argues that the prosecution committed a grave error by misrepresenting her client's words and misinterpreting the law.
According to Yacoub Seif, the prosecution's case was built on falsified evidence and a misinterpretation of the law. He claims that the article 83 cited by the prosecution does not contain the formula "call to citizens to take up arms to end the power and attack the constitutional system." The lawyer argues that the prosecution merged two separate notions, "armed uprising against the state" and "attack on the constitutional system."
The case against Souleymane has been marked by several twists and turns. The investigating judge initially dismissed the reference to article 83 and only considered the charge of attacking the head of state. However, the prosecution appealed the decision, and the Chamber of Accusation ultimately upheld the charges based on article 83. Souleymane was initially placed under judicial control on November 6, 2025.
Souleymane's lawyer described her client as a courageous and well-informed individual who demonstrated a remarkable mastery of the Constitution, laws, and international human rights conventions during her trials. Despite her illness and suffering, Souleymane reportedly showed great courage throughout the proceedings. Her case has sparked concerns about the use of laws to silence opponents and restrict freedom of expression in Mauritania.
The sentencing of Warda Souleymane to 5 years in prison has raised concerns about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Mauritania. Her lawyer, Yacoub Seif, warned that the case could set a precedent for the prosecution of opponents and limit the ability of citizens to express dissenting views.
Key points
- Warda Souleymane was sentenced to 5 years in prison for allegedly inciting violence against the government.
- The prosecution's case was based on a falsification of Souleymane's statements and a misinterpretation of the law.
- The case has sparked concerns about the use of laws to silence opponents and restrict freedom of expression in Mauritania.
