Senegal detains two figures over controversial remarks targeting Ousmane Sonko

A court in Pikine-Guédiawaye postponed the hearing of Mouhamed Ndiaye Sonko, accused of insulting the president and disturbing public order, after the magistrate was unavailable. Sonko, whose health is reported as fragile following previous incarceration and overseas treatment, remains awaiting a new trial date, prompting debate over whether the case should be treated as a flagrante delicto.

In a separate case, former special adviser to ex‑president Macky Sall, Abdoul Aziz Diop, was placed under pre‑trial detention after admitting to publishing online remarks deemed offensive toward opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Charged with defamation and actions that could disturb public order, Diop will face a flagrant‑delict trial in Dakar. Both proceedings illustrate Senegal’s heightened judicial scrutiny of speech directed at prominent political figures.