The prosecutor's office of Dakar, Senegal, has released a report on the investigation into politico-judicial violence that occurred between 2021 and 2024. According to the report, 76 people have died and over 200 people have been victims of torture or inhumane treatment. The investigation, which began in July 2025, has gathered evidence and testimony from 166 people. The prosecutor's office has also identified possible crimes against humanity.
The investigation was initiated following two letters addressed to the prosecutor in July 2025, instructing him to open an inquiry into the violence. The gendarmerie was tasked with conducting the investigation, which took place between October 2025 and September 2026. The report states that 41 of the 76 deaths occurred in the Dakar region. The victims include people who were killed, tortured, or subjected to inhumane treatment.
The prosecutor's office has identified five people who have been charged with crimes against humanity, torture, and murder. Four of the accused are suspected of participating in the torture of Pape Abdoulaye Touré, while the fifth person is accused of killing Mamadou Ndoye, who was allegedly hit by a police vehicle. The five accused were arrested and charged on September 23, 2026.
Two of the accused have been detained, while the other three have been placed under judicial supervision or electronic monitoring. The prosecutor's office has appealed the decision, which will lead to a new judicial process. The investigation is ongoing, with the aim of establishing the circumstances of the violence and identifying those responsible.
The prosecutor's office has announced that it will open new judicial procedures against those found to be responsible for the violence. The office has emphasized that the accused are presumed innocent until a final court decision is made. The investigation has highlighted the scale of the violence and the need for accountability.
The report has been welcomed by human rights groups, who have been calling for an investigation into the violence. The Senegalese government has also been urged to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The prosecutor's office has stated that it will continue to investigate and gather evidence.
The case has raised concerns about the human rights situation in Senegal and the need for the government to ensure that those responsible for violence are held accountable. The investigation is ongoing, and it is expected that more information will be released in the coming weeks.
Key points
- The prosecutor's office has reported 76 deaths and over 200 victims of torture or inhumane treatment in politico-judicial violence between 2021 and 2024.
- Five people have been charged with crimes against humanity, torture, and murder in connection with the violence.
- The investigation is ongoing, with the aim of establishing the circumstances of the violence and identifying those responsible.
