Diffusion de fausses nouvelles : Les sentence est tombée pour Cheikh Oumar Diagne
The leader of the Rally for Truth (RPV), Cheikh Oumar Diagne, was tried this Wednesday, March 11, 2026, before the Dakar Magistrates' Court for spreading false news. At the conclusion of the proceedings, he was found guilty of the charges against him and sentenced to a fine of 500,000 CFA francs.
The defendant, who denied the charges, was arrested following statements he made during a SenTV television program concerning the death of student Abdoulaye Ba during protests at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD). During the program, the lecturer and researcher claimed that "Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko gave the order to kill the student."
In court, Cheikh Oumar Diagne addressed his earlier remarks. He explained that he was participating in the program as a political figure to comment on current events. According to him, his statements referred to a speech given by the Prime Minister in the National Assembly, during which the Prime Minister admitted to ordering the defense and security forces to enter the university grounds. "I meant to say that he indirectly gave the order that led to the student's death," he clarified. He added that, in his opinion, the student died as a result of the intervention by the defense and security forces on campus. "I have great respect for institutions. I don't believe my remarks discredit them," he maintained.
Continuing his explanation, Cheikh Oumar Diagne indicated that he simply wanted to emphasize the moral and political responsibility of the authority that gave the order to intervene. "The Prime Minister has admitted to giving this order. I wanted to say that we now know who gave it," he declared, recalling that three years ago, several political figures claimed that the events at the university were taking place "behind President Macky Sall's back."
In his closing arguments, the public prosecutor argued that the facts of spreading false news were established. The prosecutor requested a six-month suspended sentence and a fine of 500,000 FCFA.
The defense, represented by Sayba Danfakha and Hosni Maati of the Paris Bar, argued for outright acquittal. Danfakha cited Article 255 of the Penal Code, maintaining that the statements in question did not constitute "news" within the meaning of the law. According to him, the prosecution had failed to demonstrate that his client's statements were based on false information. Maati, for his part, asserted that the statements made during the broadcast had been truncated, before citing relevant case law.
After deliberating, the court found Cheikh Oumar Diagne guilty of spreading false news and sentenced him to a fixed fine of 500,000 FCFA.
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