The Paris Judicial Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Senegalese President Macky Sall against the website nonamacky.org, which opposes his candidacy for the UN Secretary-General position. The court ruled on September 9, 2026, that the website's content did not constitute an illicit attack on Sall's image or reputation. The website, available in multiple languages, presents archives, testimonies, and reports on Sall's two presidential terms from 2012 to 2024.
The website nonamacky.org alleges various issues with Sall's management, including violent political protests, opposition arrests, and financial irregularities. It claims to have "documented evidence" and aims to raise awareness among diplomatic representations, international influence groups, and decision-makers about Sall's candidacy. Sall had sought to block access to the site in France and have technical services allowing its diffusion interrupted.
The court distinguished between criticisms directly targeting Sall and those concerning the functioning of Senegalese institutions during his presidency. It considered the presentation of Sall as "unfit" for the UN Secretary-General position as a critical value judgment on an international candidacy. The court also rejected Sall's complaint about the use of his image on the website and its campaign materials.
The court's decision focused on the blocking requests and legal grievances against the website, not on assessing Sall's qualifications for the UN position. The judges took into account the dimension of public debate and the principles of information and free circulation. The ruling allows the website to remain accessible in France despite Sall's lawsuit.
The website's administrators stated that they would not comment on ongoing judicial procedures but maintained that their mission remains unchanged. The court's decision marks a significant development in the controversy surrounding Sall's UN candidacy. Sall's team had argued that the website's content was defamatory and damaged his reputation.
The Paris court's ruling is a setback for Sall's efforts to block criticism of his candidacy. The decision highlights the challenges faced by public figures in navigating freedom of expression and online criticism. The court's emphasis on the importance of public debate and free circulation of information underscores the complexities of regulating online content.
The outcome of the case may have implications for future online campaigns and the ability of public figures to seek redress for perceived reputational harm. The court's decision does not preclude further appeals or actions by Sall or the website's administrators. The controversy surrounding Sall's candidacy and the role of nonamacky.org in opposing it is likely to continue.
Key points
- A Paris court has rejected a lawsuit by former Senegalese President Macky Sall against a website opposing his UN Secretary-General candidacy.
- The website nonamacky.org presents critical information about Sall's presidency and allegations of misconduct.
- The court's decision allows the website to remain accessible in France, underscoring the importance of free expression and public debate.
