First Charges In The Investigation Into The 2021-2024 Violence

The Senegalese judicial authorities have issued the first charges in the investigation into the political violence from 2021 to 2024. Four individuals have been implicated in the case following a complaint by Pape Abdoulaye Touré that he was a victim of kidnapping, illegal detention, torture, and inhumane treatment on the night of 2nd June, 2023, during the political unrest in Senegal.

Djibril Guèye, an agent of the Dakar University Works Centre (COUD), has been charged with conspiracy, crimes against humanity, and acts of torture, and has been placed in provisional detention. Guindo Traoré, described as a security guard, has been charged with the same offences but is under judicial supervision. Both men deny the allegations against them.

Two other individuals subsequently appeared before the investigating judges. Amadou Tidiane Cissé, known as “Kabakrou,” the head of security at COUD, has been charged with complicity and placed under judicial supervision. Djibril Diaw, a security guard who was employed at the time by former Youth Minister Pape Malick Ndour, has also been charged with complicity and placed under electronic monitoring. The prosecution had requested their detention.

The Dakar public prosecutor’s office has opened a judicial investigation covering events that occurred between 1st February, 2021, and 25th February, 2024. The introductory indictment specifically targets the classification of crimes against humanity through acts of torture or inhumane, cruel, and degrading treatment. This classification will be assessed at the end of the procedure, with the accused benefiting from the presumption of innocence.

The case is part of the ongoing procedures related to the political violence that marked Senegal between 2021 and 2024, particularly during the protests of 2021 and June 2023.

Benin TV