Senegal/ Detained October 5, 2023
UPDATE: Aliou Sané was released on February 15, 2024, after four months in prison.
On October 5, Aliou Sané, coordinator of the Y’en a Marre Movement and deputy coordinator of the Forces Vives de la Nation (F24) platform, was arrested at his home by Dakar Central Police’s urban security force. The arrest took place based on a detention warrant previously issued against him.
Mr. Sané was originally arrested on May 28 while trying to reach the home of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, who had been prevented from leaving his residency and was later sentenced to two years in prison. Mr. Sané was charged with participating in an “undeclared demonstration” and disturbing the public order. At the time of the arrest, he was on his way to visit Mr. Sonko’s house as part of the delegation of F24.
While Mr. Sané was granted bail after 5 days in detention, the public prosecutor referred the case to the Indictments Division of the Dakar High Court to have the decision overturned. According to Mr. Sané’s lawyer, on July 25, the Indictment Division of the Dakar High Court decided to follow the prosecution and order the detention of Mr. Sané, it is in the execution of this warrant that Mr. Sané has been arrested.
Senegalese civil society organizations call on the authorities to respect their international human rights obligations by immediately and unconditionally releasing Mr. Sané and all other people who have been detained while exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The World Movement for Democracy stands in solidarity with Aliou Sané and calls for his immediate release.