The Senegalese justice system has made its first moves in the case of political violence that occurred between 2021 and 2024. An agent of security from the Cheikh-Anta-Diop University campus in Dakar was placed in preventive detention on September 22. This individual is accused of association of wrongdoers and crimes against humanity, including acts of torture. This charge allows the case to bypass an amnesty law adopted in March 2024 that covered this period.
In addition to the agent's detention, two other individuals were placed under judicial supervision. One of them, a member of the protocol team of former Youth Minister Pape Malick Ndour, and another individual from his close guard, are also accused of crimes against humanity. One of these individuals was equipped with an electronic bracelet for the duration of the investigation. These are the first interpellations in the case that involves the repression of opposition manifestations.
A fourth person, the head of security at the Dakar University Works Center (Coud), was also placed under judicial supervision on September 23. The case stems from a complaint filed by Pape Abdoulaye Touré, a young activist from the Pastef party, for "illegal sequestration and kidnapping." Touré claimed that men claiming to be security agents of former Minister Pape Malick Ndour, accompanied by a gendarme in uniform, arrested him near his home, then assaulted, tortured, and threatened him with death on the night of June 2-3, 2023.
Images of Touré with a swollen face being beaten up shocked public opinion. Two years after the complaint was filed, the Dakar high court has proceeded with the first inculpations. Amnesty International, which has been accompanying the families of 65 victims recorded in this case, welcomed the initiative. However, the organization also called on the justice system to also question the law enforcement agencies involved.
The case has garnered significant attention due to its implications for accountability in Senegal. The charges of crimes against humanity, including acts of torture, highlight the severity of the alleged offenses. The involvement of high-profile figures and the use of security forces in the alleged abuses have raised concerns about impunity and the rule of law.
Seydi Gassama, director of Amnesty International Senegal, expressed cautious optimism about the developments. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation that includes all parties involved, particularly those in positions of authority. The case is seen as a test of the Senegalese justice system's ability to address allegations of human rights abuses.
The developments in this case are being closely watched by human rights organizations and the public. The next steps in the investigation and potential trials will be crucial in determining the extent of accountability and justice for the victims and their families.
Key points
- The Senegalese justice system has proceeded with the first inculpations in the 2021-2024 political violence case, involving four individuals.
- The case involves allegations of crimes against humanity, including acts of torture, which allow it to bypass an amnesty law adopted in March 2024.
- Amnesty International has welcomed the initiative but called for a broader investigation that includes law enforcement agencies.
