A court in Senegal has sentenced three TikTok influencers to jail for posts allegedly insulting President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The decision has sparked criticism, with many expressing concerns about freedom of expression and online speech in the country.
These influencers are associated with an online content platform that some believe supports former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party. The case coincides with increasing tensions within Senegal’s political sphere after a public rift between President Faye and Sonko, who were once close allies. Faye’s recent launch of his own political party has further widened the gap between the two.
Among the sentenced influencers, Mandoumbe Diop, known online as Lamignou Darou, received the harshest penalty with a three-month prison term without suspension. Diop is the most followed influencer among them, boasting over 500,000 followers on TikTok.
Two other creators from Feenal Digital, Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep) and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba), were each sentenced to two months in jail, also without suspension, and fined 500,000 CFA francs each, approximately $800. Their lawyer, Abdy Nar Ndiaye, argued that their TikTok content was comedic in nature and did not warrant criminal charges.
Feenal Digital is described as a platform that promotes both government and private-sector activities on Facebook. The verdict comes amidst political uncertainty in Senegal due to the fallout between President Faye and Sonko. Their previous collaboration was instrumental in the PASTEF political movement’s emergence, and their discord has highlighted divisions within the ruling camp.
