three Senegalese influencers handed prison sentences over viral video
Three prominent Senegalese social media personalities, known for their ties to the former ruling Pastef party, have been sentenced to prison terms following the publication of a controversial video on TikTok. The ruling comes amid escalating political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Ousmane Sonko.
Mandoumbe Diop, widely known by his online alias Lamignou Darou, received a three-month prison sentence for the contentious video. Meanwhile, Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep) and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba) were each handed two-month prison terms. All three were also fined 500,000 CFA francs.
The video in question was recorded during a religious gathering where the influencers prayed for misfortune to befall a high-ranking political figure—allegedly President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—using phrases like “permanent paralysis,” “stroke,” or “death.” Though the president was not explicitly named, the court ruled that the remarks were clearly directed at him.
Political tensions fuel legal dispute
The sentencing arrives as relations between President Faye and former mentor Ousmane Sonko continue to deteriorate. The president recently formalized his break from Sonko by establishing his own political party. The defense team, led by attorney Me Abdy Nar Ndiaye, has strongly criticized the verdict. They argue the video was a satirical performance without direct references to the president, calling it a dangerous precedent for free speech in Senegal. An appeal is already underway.
