General
On 26th August 2025, Senegal’s parliament passed legislation designed to safeguard whistleblowers. The purpose of this law is to offer protection to those who, during their professional duties, reveal or report information about criminal activities, financial wrongdoing or threats to the public good, either through internal government channels or by reaching out to the appropriate authorities. This bill includes mechanisms for protection against retaliation, such as secure reporting channels, strict confidentiality, and measures to support whistleblowers and their families, potentially including financial and legal support.
As reported on previous CIVICUS Monitor updates that highlighted calls for accountability for victims of the 2021-2024 violent crackdowns, the Senegalese government has now taken concrete action. The government of Senegal has announced financial assistance of 10 million CFA francs (approximately 17,240 United States Dollars (USD)) for each family of the 79 individuals who lost their lives during pre-electoral protests, between February 2021 and 2024. Additionally, the government has pledged to cover medical expenses and provide 500,000 CFA francs (approximately 862 USD) to each of the 2,172 former prisoners detained under Macky Sall’s administration during opposition protests in the same period.
On 2nd April 2025, the Senegalese National Assembly adopted a new amnesty law (Law 08/2025), effectively revising the amnesty law passed on 6th March 2024, covering 2021-2024-protests in which more than 60 people were killed, paving the way for possible prosecutions over the deaths of dozens of protesters. As previously reported by CIVICUS Monitor, the March 2024 amnesty law was heavily criticised for promoting impunity. Thus, the changes aim to balance the goals of fostering national reconciliation and ensuring accountability. Notable amendments include creating a transparent framework for trials related to the protests and pledging to investigate claims of police misconduct. However, on 23rd April 2025. Senegal’s Constitutional Council partially nullified the 2nd April 2025 revised amnesty law. The Constitutional Court specifically invalidated article 1 of the new law. According to the Constitutional Council, by including amnesty for acts “considered criminal under the rules of international law” and “without a statute of limitations in light of Senegal’s international commitments”, the new text “violates the constitution”.
EXPRESSION
Al Jazeera journalists briefly detained and interrogated twice during assignment in Casamance
On 13th April 2025, the police briefly detained Nicolas Haque, Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Senegal covering West Africa, and his camera operator, Magali Rochat. Haque and Rochat were intercepted at the Cap Skirring airport in the Ziguinchor region, while on their way to Casamance to cover the return of war-displaced persons to their villages of origin. Later that day, after being released, the Senegalese national gendarmerie arrested them at their hotel. The journalists underwent an hour-long interrogation at the police station regarding their planned visit to Casamance. Although subsequently released, their equipment and passports were seized. On 14th April 2025, the national gendarmerie compelled Haque and Rochat to return to Dakar, interrupting their intended assignment. The Foreign Press Association in Senegal (APES) called the situation a dent on the country’s image, and urged authorities to preserve Senegal’s reputation as tolerant and welcoming to both local and international press.
Editor-in-Chief for Sen TV and Zik FM faces legal charges for allegedly publishing false information
On 10th April 2025, Simon Pierre Faye, who serves as the editor-in-chief for Sen TV and Zik FM, was taken into custody, after having been summoned by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the police for allegedly disseminating false information about Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Faye’s arrest followed the sharing of an article on Zik FM’s social media account titled “Political crisis in Senegal: Ouattara summons Ousmane Sonko to Abidjan.” The article, originally published by media outlet Afrique Confidentielle, alleges that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) instructed Ivorian President Ouattara to summon Senegalese Prime Minister Sonko for a meeting about Senegal’s political tensions, potentially undermining President Faye’s authority and implying regional leaders view Sonko as the country’s de facto leader. On 14th April 2025, Faye was brought before the public prosecutor’s office to face charges of spreading false news. The journalist denied any connection to the publication and was released the same day, but remained under judicial supervision.
Journalist interrogated and columnist detained over social media post
On 14th April 2025, the Colobane Gendarmerie Research Unit summoned Omar Ndiaye and Fatima Coulibaly, online broadcasters for Source A TV and a freelance news commentator, Abdou Nguer over allegations of disseminating false information. The three journalists were summoned due to controversial remarks made during a media programme concerning the death of Mamadou Badio Camara, the former President of the Constitutional Council. Ndiaye and Coulibaly were released the same day after being questioned.
However, Abdou Nguer was remanded in custody in relation to a post on a TikTok account named “Abdou Nguer Seul” which stated, “the people demand an autopsy on the deceased Badio Camara.” Nguer denied the accusation, asserting that he did not author the post. He clarified that he owned two TikTok accounts: “Abdou Nguer official” and “Awa Nguer” and thus was not the owner of the account in question.
Further police investigation revealed that another person, Pape Amadou Ndiaye Diaw, was the owner of the TikTok account, and confessed to writing the post. On 17th April 2025, journalist Abdou Nguer, along with Pape Amadou Ndiaye Diaw, the owner of the implicated account, were brought before the third chamber of the Court of Dakar and subsequently held in custody.
Senegalese journalist arrested for on-air remarks about Prime Minister Sonko
On 9th July 2025, Senegal’s special cybersecurity division (DSC) arrested Gadiaga Badara over his remarks during a 4th July 2025 broadcast about Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. During the broadcast on private television channel Télé Futurs Médias (TFM), Gadiaga responded to criticism from a ruling party official by saying that the party should not give lessons in ethics because its leader, Sonko, had been “convicted of sexual abuse.” On 14th July 2025, a judge opened a judicial investigation and charged Gadiaga with spreading false news, immoral speech, insulting a person exercising the prerogatives of the head of state, and receiving or soliciting donations in order to engage in propaganda likely to disturb public order, his lawyer, El Hadji Omar Youm, told news outlets. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on the Senegalese authorities to release Badara Gadiaga and cease arresting journalists.
Journalist jailed for allegedly spreading false news
On 25th June 2025, the Special Cybercrime Unit, following a complaint by the President of the National Assembly, El Malick Ndiaye, arrested journalist Bachir Fofana of the daily newspaper Le Quotidien. He was accused of spreading false information about a public procurement process for official vehicles for parliamentarians.
On 30th July 2025, the Dakar Court of First Instance sentenced Bachir to two months in prison, with 15 days to be served. Civil Society Organisations, including social movement Y en a Marre called for an “urgent reform of article 255 of the Penal/Criminal Code.”
381 media houses suspended for alleged non-compliance with press regulations
On 22nd April 2025, Senegal’s Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Media, Alioune Sall, signed a decree ordering the immediate suspension of 381 broadcasting, publication and content sharing media outlets. According to the Commission for the Examination and Validation of Press Enterprises, the suspended media outlets failed to comply with Senegal’s Press Code. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and human rights activist Alioune Tine urged the Senegalese authorities to prioritise dialogue and capacity strengthening over suspensions of media outlets.
ASSOCIATION
Senegalese politician Moustapha Diakhaté arrested and prosecuted over controversial statements
On 10th June 2025, agents of the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) once again detained Moustapha Diakhaté, the former chairman of the Benno bokk yakaar (BBY) parliamentary group, for allegedly making offending remarks about President Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, and the President of the National Assembly, for their “informal behaviour” at an official event, which Moustapha deemed a breach of protocol. On 30th June 2025, the Dakar Magistrates’ Court found Diakhaté guilty of insulting the head of state and sentenced him to two months in prison, including fifteen days without parole. Diakhaté was released on 29th July 2025, after completing his two-month prison sentence. He had been held in preventive detention since June 2025, which was credited towards his sentence.
Previously, on 21st November 2024, Senegal’s Public Prosecutor placed Moustapha Diakhaté in police custody, following Diakhaté’s summons by the Special Cybersecurity Division (DSC). Diakhaté’s arrest came after his appearance on 7 TV, on 17th November 2024, in which Diakhaté declared that those who voted for the ruling party Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (Pastef) in the legislative elections were “cursed.” This statement was deemed insulting by the public prosecutor, who considered it “injurious” to the democratic choice made by the Senegalese people. Diakhaté was subsequently prosecuted for insults transmitted via a computer system, manoeuvres and acts likely to compromise public security, and serious political unrest. On 28th November 2024, the Dakar Court of First Instance, ruling in flagrante delicto, sentenced Diakhaté to two months in prison. Diakhaté was released on 24th January 2025.