Senegal Justice Minister Moussa Sarr Tightens Pre‑Trial Detention Rules

On 15 July 2026 Senegal’s Minister of Justice, Moussa Sarr, sent a circular to senior prosecutors directing a stricter approach to pre‑trial detention. The memo urges authorities to use remand only when indispensable, favouring non‑custodial measures that guarantee court appearance.

The reform aims to curb chronic prison overcrowding and to stop the criminal prosecution of purely civil or commercial disputes, such as debt cases, which have long contributed to excessive inmate numbers. By aligning detention practices with international human‑rights standards, the ministry seeks to modernise the country’s penal system and improve prison conditions and public finances.