In a significant development in Senegal, the first arrests have been made in connection with the violent unrest that plagued the country from 2021 to 2024. On September 22, 2026, four individuals were taken into custody by the Section de recherches de Colobane, following a complaint filed by Pape Abdoulaye Touré alleging acts of torture. The four individuals are Guindo Traoré and Djibril Diaw, former security guards employed by former Minister of Youth Pape Malick Ndour, as well as security agents Amadou Tidiane Cissé and Djibril Guèye.
The case has seen its first judicial developments, with judges from the 1st and 2nd cabinets of the Dakar tribunal initiating hearings of the detained individuals. The investigation was launched after Pape Abdoulaye Touré's complaint, which led to the opening of a judicial inquiry. The prosecutor of the Republic had decided on a co-saisine of the judges, following which the doyen of judges, who had cut short his leave, began the first hearings with his colleague from the second cabinet.
Djibril Guèye, a security agent of Coud, was the first to appear before the judge of the 1st cabinet. He was heard from 15:42 and subsequently charged with association of wrongdoers, crimes against humanity between February 1, 2021, and February 25, 2024, and torture. Following the prosecutor's requisition for detention, Djibril Guèye was placed under a detention warrant.
Guindo Traoré, a security guard, appeared before the judge at 16:52 and was charged with the same offenses as Djibril Guèye. However, unlike Djibril Guèye, Guindo Traoré was not detained and was released under judicial supervision. The other two individuals, Djibril Diaw and Amadou Tidiane Cissé, also known as "Kabakrou," have not yet been informed of their fate, with their charges postponed to Wednesday.
The four individuals are represented by a team of lawyers, including Mes Takha Cissé, Bachir Lo, Alioune Badara Fall, Alphonse Faye, El Hadj Badara Ndiaye, Mamadou Yaya Dia, Mamadou Ciss, and Amadou Danfan. The investigation is expected to continue in the coming days, with additional arrests potentially forthcoming as part of the probe into the events that occurred between 2021 and 2024.
According to reports, the unrest between 2021 and 2024 resulted in over 80 fatalities. The case has garnered significant attention, and the ongoing investigation aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding these violent incidents. Further details are expected to emerge as the probe continues.
The developments in this case mark a crucial step towards addressing the violence that occurred in Senegal during the specified period. The authorities have assured that the investigation will be thorough and exhaustive, with a focus on bringing those responsible to justice.
Key points
- Four individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the 2021-2024 unrest in Senegal.
- The investigation is ongoing, with potential for additional arrests.
- The unrest resulted in over 80 fatalities between 2021 and 2024.
