The elements of the Urban Security have arrested the journalist Pape Alé Niang, boss of Dakar Matin, since Sunday. The prosecutor accused him of “delegitimizing and undermining the cohesion and collective discipline essential to the proper functioning and effectiveness of these state bodies. The prosecutor believes that his comments “undermine the morale of the troops and designate the security forces as major targets.
Yet, during an intervention on October 25, 2015, on iTELE, in France, the head of state of Senegal had given guarantees to journalists. Afrik.com revisits the statements of the head of state. “In my country, there was a debate that preceded my arrival at the head of the country, where there was a Code of the press that was committed. The government had transferred it to Parliament. The deputies did not want to vote,” said Macky Sall.
“Working for the decriminalization of press offenses
“I am committed to working for the decriminalization of press offenses. In any case, you will never see, during my governance in Senegal, a journalist put in prison for a press offence,” added Macky Sall. The leader had however specified that “it is normal, when we intervene on a matter that affects national security, we must be questioned. It is not because we are journalists that we are above the law.
Pape Alé Niang’s lawyer indicated that the arrest of his client is linked to the Sweet Beauté affair. This scandal in which the Senegalese opponent Ousmane Sonko is accused of rape on a 20-year-old girl, Adji Sarr. The latter worked in this massage parlor. The case is in the hands of justice. This Wednesday, Pope Alé Niang will face the prosecutor. It remains to be seen whether during the governance of Macky Sall, a journalist will be put in prison for a press offence