Senegal court hands down prison terms to three influencers over presidential remarks

Three Senegalese social media personalities, aligned with the former ruling Pastef party, have been handed custodial sentences by a Dakar court for content deemed insulting to the head of state and contrary to public morals. The ruling follows the viral spread of a TikTok video that sparked intense political debate in the country.

The defendants—Mandoumbe Diop (popularly known as Lamignou Darou), Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep) and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba)—each received prison terms ranging from two to three months, alongside a fine of 500,000 West African francs. The case stems from a video recorded during a post-religious gathering event, in which the influencers made veiled but strongly worded remarks about a “great traitor of Senegal,” praying for severe consequences including paralysis, stroke or death.

Legal ruling draws sharp reactions amid political fractures

The court ruled that although the president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was not explicitly mentioned by name, the comments were clearly directed at him. This decision arrives at a particularly sensitive moment in Senegalese politics, following the recent formal split between President Faye and his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, after the president launched his own political movement.

Legal representatives for the influencers have strongly contested the verdict. Lead counsel Me Abdy Nar Ndiaye described the video as satirical in nature and argued that it contained no direct references to the president. The defense team has vowed to appeal, calling the judgment a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression in Senegal.

The case has reignited nationwide discussions about the boundaries of public criticism, especially on digital platforms, and the legal consequences of online speech in a country navigating complex political transitions.