The Senegalese civil society, led by organizations such as Horizons sans Frontières, Afrikajom Center, and Jamra, has renewed its appeal for clemency for Mbayang Diop, a Senegalese woman sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia. Diop has been detained for over ten years for murdering a Saudi woman. The organizations held a press conference in Dakar on October 10, 2026, to appeal to the Saudi authorities and the victim's family for mercy.
The civil society groups emphasized that they are not contesting the Saudi court's decision or the gravity of the crime, but rather seeking clemency for Diop. Antigone Diop, a representative of the movement "Rappel à l'ordre", read a statement on behalf of the organizations, expressing their humility and respect for the Saudi judicial system. The groups are asking the victim's family to consider pardoning Diop and the Saudi authorities to grant her clemency.
The organizations are calling on King Salman Ben Abdelaziz Al Saoud to grant Diop a royal pardon. They also urged the Senegalese authorities to use diplomatic channels to intervene on Diop's behalf. Mamadou Diop, Mbayang's brother, expressed his gratitude to the Senegalese people for their support and solidarity throughout the ordeal.
Professor Penda Mbow, a prominent Senegalese academic, stressed the need for urgent diplomatic and international mobilization to save Diop's life. She suggested that the Senegalese authorities should engage with the United Nations and the African Union to secure Diop's release. Mbow emphasized that Diop has already served ten years in detention, which is a significant punishment in itself.
The press conference was attended by Mbayang Diop's brother, who renewed his apologies to the victim's family and solicited clemency from the Saudi authorities. The civil society groups also highlighted the strong relations between Senegal and Saudi Arabia, appealing to the Saudi authorities to take these ties into account when considering Diop's fate.
The Senegalese civil society's mobilization for Mbayang Diop's clemency is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about her case and to pressure the Saudi authorities to show mercy. The organizations involved in the campaign plan to continue their efforts to secure Diop's release, including engaging with international human rights mechanisms.
As the case continues to garner attention, the Senegalese government faces mounting pressure to take action to save the life of its citizen. The government's response to the civil society's appeals and the potential for diplomatic intervention from other countries will be closely watched in the coming days.
Key points
- Senegalese civil society groups are calling for clemency for Mbayang Diop, a Senegalese woman sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.
- The organizations are urging the Saudi authorities and the victim's family to show mercy and grant Diop a pardon.
- The Senegalese government is under pressure to take diplomatic action to secure Diop's release.
