The Mbour District Court presided over a rather surprising hearing involving an alleged marriage scam that stunned the courtroom, reports L’Observateur. The couple met in September 2024 on the Petite-Côte and planned to marry following the groom-to-be’s conversion to Islam — a requirement set by the young woman’s father. In return, F Monteil spared no expense: he fully funded the construction of O Kandji’s house, covered his fiancée’s tuition fees, and paid a dowry of 4 million CFA francs — not to mention the 900,000 CFA francs requested for a “bachelorette party”. Then, on 25th December, 2025, a dramatic twist occurred as three days before the ceremony, ML Kandji told her fiancé she would not marry him, declaring: “I don’t love you […]. I am still in love with my ex-boyfriend”. In a state of shock, Monteil returned to France for medical treatment before coming back to Senegal to file a complaint against his ex-fiancée and her father. In court, he is seeking 10 million in damages for marriage fraud. The court is expected to deliver judgement on 12th November 12, 2026.
L’Observateur
Touba: 2-year prison sentence for 60-year-old man for impregnating minor
The Diourbel court sentenced El H Niang, a 60-year-old shopkeeper father of four, to two years in prison. The case stemmed from a complaint filed in Touba by the father of a 16-year-old girl after her pregnancy was discovered. The father, a retired police officer, went to the Touba special police station on 22nd July, 2026, to report Niang after he had been alerted by his other children, to whom their sister had confided. The teenager reportedly identified the shopkeeper, who was a regular visitor to the family home, as the man responsible for her pregnancy. When questioned by investigators, Niang admitted to having sexual intercourse with the minor and to being responsible for her pregnancy. However, he denied any use of force, offering a version of events that the teenager disputed. The shopkeeper was subsequently remanded and arraigned. The prosecutor requested a five-year prison sentence. Defence attorney Serigne Diougue asked the court for leniency. At the conclusion of the proceedings, El H Niang was sentenced to two years in prison. L’Observateur
Senegal to spend 45 billion FCFA to expand universities, 10,100 beds expected by the end of 2026
Senegal is launching a new initiative to alleviate pressure on its public universities. An infrastructure programme worth 45 billion FCFA, divided into five lots, has been initiated in Bambey to enhance the educational and housing capacities of several institutions. The plan includes the delivery of 10,100 university beds by the end of 2026. The goal is to address the ongoing increase in student enrolment and the critical housing needs across multiple campuses. In addition to educational buildings, the programme directly targets the living conditions of students. The creation of thousands of beds aims to alleviate overcrowding in residences and reduce pressure on the rental market surrounding the campuses.
Benin TV
10 years on death row in Saudi Arabia: The case of the Senegalese woman Mbayang Diop
Senegalese national Mbayang Diop was detained in June 2016 and in April 2017, Saudi judges sentenced her to the death penalty in a murder case. Boubacar Sèye, president of Horizon sans frontières (HSF) has challenged the Senegalese government to clarify her situation. He stated: “Has Mbayang Diop’s legal situation evolved, and have the Senegalese authorities reassessed the case and are there still possibilities for appeal, pardon or commutation of sentence. These questions should be answered and information available to his family. “I am calling for a new mobilisation around a specific request: obtaining reliable news. I believe the past years should reinforce the need for follow-up, and this matter should not be forgotten into oblivion.” Dakaractu
Dakar TER rail services extended to Blaise Diagne International Airport
Dakar’s Train Express Régional service was extended 19 km to Blaise Diagne International Airport on 28th September. The opening comes shortly before the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister of Land Transport & Air Transport Serigne Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye, Minister of Infrastructure Déthié Fall and Minister of Employment Idrissa Samb. The completion of the second phase of the TER project takes the 160 km/h standard gauge route to 55km. The double-track line is electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz and equipped with ETCS Level 2 and GSM-R. The SETER subsidiary of France’s SNCF which operates the line said the TER has carried nearly 100 million passengers since the opening of the 36km first phase between Dakar and Diamniadio on 27th December, 2021. There are up to 196 trains per day, with a punctuality rate of 98%. The principal infrastructure contract worth CFAFr108.4bn was awarded to a consortium of Eiffage Génie Civil, Eiffage Rail, Yapi Merkezi and Senegalese contractor CSE in May 2023.
Railway Gazette
