Senegal: Police torture and brutalise arrested protesters - VIDEO

https://twitter.com/papealeniang/status/1649726737830359041

The Journalist Pape Ale Niang of Dakar Matin tweeted a shocking video capturing the moment when Senegalese police torture and brutalise arrested protesters in the town of Ngor. They were protesting over land siezure.

He comments: " In Ngor this is why the young people are fighting. They are being treated inhumanely and they are forced to resist their demands"

Some of the comments on the tweet are reproduced below:

• "What totalitarian immorality is it that some will come and tell us here that there is no dictatorship in Senegal,  frankly it is very humiliating in these images of brutality against the Senegalese youth. Long live the alternative in 2024."
•  "This is disproportionate (criminal and barbaric torture) use of force by agents who are responsible for law and order. It, is inadmissible! It's time for this to stop! To do this the Senegalese, including the members of the security forces must take their responsibilities before it is too late!"
• " Why are the police acting this way towards the demonstrators? This video should be shared as many times as possible. It is a criminal act. Instead of having more composure and control, they indulge in barbarism... Shame on these men!"
• " I'm afraid for Senegal how can they do this to civilians and what's saddest here those who have noble causes are the first to be arrested"
• "In Ngor we saw the police taking kids to use as human shields Israeli cooperation is making great strides"
• 
  
• "The Senegalese people demand the resignation of president Macky Sall and his government. Macky Sall is creating a dictatorship in Senegal. More than 600 young people in prison. Others killed by the gendarmes, police and militias of Macky Sall. Where are human rights?"

Armed pro-government militias open fire on Senegalese protesters: Adama Gueye veteran Senegalese journalist comments in English

 

 On  Friday 21April 2023, the first of two Eid  Fitr days celebrated in Senegal. In  suburban town of Ngor in the region of Dakar a dispute about land use and rights between the local population and the Gendarmerie had excalated into protests and street clashes between security forces and the local youth.  At issue was one of the few remaining empty spaces left, which the population wanted as a green sapce and possible future high school, whilst a project was discovered that the local authorities had granted the land without democratic consultation to build, (and there are conflicting press reports) , either a branch for the French superstore Auchan or a new Police station. 

 

The fierce resaistance put up by the youths meant that the security services have found it difficult to control the ground despite large numbers and modern anti-riot equipment.

Then this Friday came the arrival of unidentified men in civil clothes armend with sophisticated weapons opening fire on protesters and others in the local population. Who sent them? Who gave them weapons? Who protected them? These are the unanswered questions. In the clip below they can be heard saying to each other to pick up the expended cartridge  shells.

 

 

No Police statement has been made, no government official has commented, no investigation announced.

                 

Footage of the incident:

 

 

https://twitter.com/KyaKyasadji8/status/1649757287739695107?s=20

Video of live ammunition found at the scene

 

https://twitter.com/KyaKyasadji8/status/1649757287739695107 

 

 

Adama Gueye,  veteran Senegalese journalist speaks out about his concerns over the incident (English version):

 

 

https://www.youtubetrimmer.com/view/?v=cS_PibWiids&start=5513&end=7211&loop=0