Authorities in Senegal have arrested prominent journalist Pepe Alé Niang, director of the Dakar Matin news portal, for allegedly disseminating information that could cause damage to the African country’s national security.
The Senegalese prosecution accuses Alé Niang, who is responsible for numerous columns on national politics, often critical of the government, of having published «secret» documents, including plans for army operations.
Sources quoted by the portal Dakar Actu have indicated that «the purpose» of these publications is to «discredit» the Armed Forces. The arrest follows his latest articles on the accusations of rape against the main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
For its part, the Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) has expressed its support for Dakar Matin and promised to provide legal assistance to the journalist, before stressing that «the reason for his arrest remains unknown for the moment».
Political tensions in Senegal have been on the rise since 2021 following the arrest of Sonko, accused of rape and death threats. His arrest led to anti-government protests that left at least thirteen people dead and hundreds injured.
The country held on July 31 a legislative elections in which the government coalition Benno Bokk Yaakar (BBY) lost its absolute majority by obtaining 82 of the 165 seats in Parliament, amid opposition criticism against the president, Macky Sall, who could not run for reelection in 2024 after exhausting his two terms.
