Senegal: new mobilizations after the refusal of the provisional release of Pape Alé Niang

A hundred journalists participated in a march in Dakar, Friday, November 18, 2022, to demand the release of their colleague Pape Alé Niang.

© Charlotte Idrac/RFI

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2 mins

The investigative journalist, owner of the "Dakar Matin" site and very critical of the government, was returned to detention on 20 December.

Pape Alé Niang, hospitalized, is "

extremely tried

" by his hunger strike, according to his supporters, who announce new mobilizations to demand his release.

Publicity

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With our correspondent in Dakar,

Charlotte Idrac

"

The fight continues

", for the coordination of press associations of

Senegal

(CAP), which called the profession to a new gathering this Wednesday.

But after 15 days of hunger strike,

Pape Alé Niang

, accused of "

disseminating military documents likely to harm national defense

", is in a critical situation.

“ 

Since Friday, he no longer receives treatment.

His vital organs could be affected.

He hardly moves and is very weak.

We are all worried about what could happen

,” says Ibrahima Lissa Faye, one of the CAP officials.

To justify the refusal of a new provisional release, the prosecutor invoked "

risks of reiteration

" or even "

disturbances to public order

", indicates one of the journalist's lawyers.

For its part, Reporters Without Borders again called on Tuesday for the “ 

immediate release

” of Pape Alé Niang.

The Frapp France Dégage movement announced a rally on Saturday in front of the main hospital in Dakar.

📢 #Senegal: the state of health of journalist Pape Alé Niang, extremely affected by his hunger strike started after his new incarceration on 20/12 & evacuated to the Main Hospital in Dakar on 24/12, is worrying.

RSF calls for his immediate release.

https://t.co/vExF8DVAhc pic.twitter.com/6Q3fD5vsbw

— RSF (@RSF_inter) January 3, 2023

► To read also: The Senegalese press calls for the "immediate release" of journalist Pape Alé Niang

For Ibrahima Lissa Faye, freedom of the press is at stake: “ 

Two months for a journalist in prison is too much.

In the history of Senegal, this is unheard of”.

There is a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of journalists who sometimes apply self-censorship.

Press freedom is under threat in Senegal and journalists are afraid

”. 

"

Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Senegal

," assured the Minister of Communication last November, adding that "

we must not confuse freedom of the press with anarchy

."

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