Senegal: Authorities Detain Sokhna Ndack Mbacké and Khadija Ndate Diouf, Amidst Wider Press Crackdown
At least four journalists harassed by gendarmerie officers as government restricts internet access
Location: Senegal, Dakar
Date: February 4, 2024
Gendarmerie detain and harass journalists Sokhna Ndack Mbacké and Khadija Ndate Diouf. Both journalists, representing independent media outlets, were targeted while covering protests. Their detentions exemplify a broader pattern of press suppression in Senegal. The revocation of media licenses, the suspension of mobile internet access, and the repeated harassment of journalists demonstrate a concerted effort by authorities to stifle independent reporting and silence dissenting voices. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is outraged by the escalating crackdown on independent press by Senegalese authorities. We condemn the detentions of Sokhna Ndack Mbacké and Khadija Ndate Diouf and demand an immediate end to harassment.
On February 4, 2024, Agora TV’s Sokhna Ndack Mbacké and Itv’s Khadija Ndate Diouf were detained by gendarmerie while reporting on protests in Dakar following the postponement of elections. The journalists faced verbal abuse, confiscation of equipment, and threats of imprisonment from authorities. They were released without charge after a brief detention.
Hadiya Talla, editor-in-chief of La Vallée Info, and Clément Bonnerot, a correspondent for TV5 Monde, also encountered harassment from gendarmerie officers while reporting on the same protests. Tear gas canisters were thrown towards Bonnerot while he was alone in a Dakar street filming security forces.
Senegal is facing a severe crackdown on press freedom amidst the postponement of its presidential election and resulting protests. On February 4, 2024, President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the election due to a dispute over the candidate list, triggering public outcry and demonstrations.
In response, the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy suspended access to mobile internet, citing "hateful and subversive" messages on social media. This move severely restricts access to information, as mobile internet is the primary means of connectivity for 97% of users in Senegal. It marks the fourth time the government has restricted internet access in recent years.
Authorities also revoked the broadcasting license of Walf TV, which is owned by the media group Wal Fadjri and is one of the country's prominent channels. The government justified this action by citing Wal Fadjri's alleged offenses, including the broadcasting of violent imagery involving minors, as well as the use of language deemed subversive, hateful, and a threat to state security.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces the detentions and harassment of Sokhna Ndack Mbacké and Khadija Ndate Diouf and demands an immediate end to the suppression of press freedom in Senegal. We call on the authorities to respect the rights of journalists to report freely without fear of intimidation or reprisal. The international community must closely monitor the situation in Senegal and hold its government accountable for upholding fundamental principles of democracy and freedom of expression.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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