Once again, our colleague Pape Alé Niang has been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention for a few days. Accused of leaking information prejudicial to national defence and spreading fake news, he had already been imprisoned a few months ago. This time, he is imprisoned under the charge of having launched a “call for insurrection”, shortly after the arrest of the opponent Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef.

The Senegalese Press Club in France first expresses its support and compassion to Pope Alé Niang, detained since July 29, 2023, he began a hunger strike to denounce the injustice he is a victim.

We draw the attention of national and international opinion to the very precarious state of health of Pope Alé Niang. We strongly denounce his arrest as a flagrant violation of press freedom and freedom of expression.

We therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release of Pope Alé Niang, whose health cannot be compatible with detention and is deteriorating day by day.

We remind the Senegalese authorities of the importance of guaranteeing citizens’ right to information and respecting democratic principles.
The Senegalese press club in France does not rule out bringing to justice the Senegalese authorities who have endangered the life of a journalist.
The life of Pape Alé NIANG is in the hands of the regime of Macky SALL!

Done at Paris, 3 August 2023
The Senegalese Press Club in France

Burkinabe authorities ordered the cessation of France 24’s broadcasts following an interview with the head of the North African branch of the Al-Qaeda group, Aqim. The French channel deplores the decision.

In a statement available on its website, the French media “challenges the unfounded accusations” put forward by the Burkinabe authorities to justify their decision, this Thursday, June 30, 2023.

At the reproach of the Burkinabe government for having granted an interview to the head of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), France 24 replies that it did not grant him an interview directly, “taking care to recount his remarks in the form of a chronicle allowing the necessary distancing and contextualization.”

The Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) declared Friday, June 16, 2023 at a conference that June 23, 2023 will be a «Day without Press». The decision follows the numerous arrests of journalists in Senegal over the past several months.

Pape Alé Niang spent more than 2 months in prison before being granted provisional freedom. Pape NDIAYE of the Walfadjiri group has been in prison for more than 3 months as well as Serigne Saliou Gueye, Editor of the daily Yoor-Yoor. There is also Maty Sarr Niang, who collaborated with the site Kewoulo, in prison for several weeks.

It should be noted that Walfadjiri television has been suspended for one month since 1 June.