Senegal: Three influencers handed prison sentences for insulting the president

Three Senegalese social media personalities, known for their proximity to the former ruling party Pastef, have been sentenced to jail time after posting a controversial video on TikTok. The ruling comes amid escalating political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko.

The court convicted Mandoumbe Diop, known as Lamignou Darou, to three months in prison, while Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep) and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba) received two-month sentences each. All three were also fined 500,000 West African francs. The case stems from a video posted after a religious gathering, in which they made remarks interpreted as wishing ill upon the president, including paralysis, stroke, or death—though the president was not explicitly named.

Political context fuels controversy

The ruling has intensified debates over freedom of expression in Senegal, particularly as tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko reach new heights. Sonko, once a key political figure for Faye, has seen their alliance collapse as the president established his own party. The defense argues the video was satirical and not a direct attack on the president, calling the verdict a dangerous precedent for press freedom. Legal teams have announced plans to appeal.

Satirical intent or serious offense?

The defense’s argument hinges on the video’s satirical nature, claiming it contained no explicit references to the president. However, the court ruled the remarks targeted the head of state directly. The case highlights the growing scrutiny of online speech in Senegal, where social media has become a battleground for political expression amid shifting alliances and rising tensions.