Freedom of Expression on Trial in Senegal as Rapper Nit Doff Set for Court Appearance

 By Gainako on March 27, 2023

 

By Team Gom Sa Bopa Media Team

One of Senegal’s most accomplished and outspoken Rapper who doubles up as a social justice advocate, Mr Mor Tallah Gueye popularly known by his stage name, “Nitt Doff” has been jailed in Dakar since mid-January 2023 for statements made on a Facebook Live video. Nit Doff’s trial is expected to continue tomorrow Tuesday 28^th March 2023 in a country currently facing civil and political unrest involving opposition Ousman Sonko.

As a civil society organisation focused on harnessing arts and culture our media team conducted this interview with one of Nit Doff’s colleagues to better understand the circumstances surrounding his arrest and continued detention. We also feature an update on the efforts of social justice movements in Senegal advocating for Nit Doff’s release.

Ms Mama Faye is a colleague of Nit Doff who has been working on his team for some years. She describes the outspoken rapper as “an artist (rapper) and an activist because he talks about many things that are important to the Senegalese people. Anytime injustice happens that he doesn’t agree with he puts his views in a song, posts on social media and does his livestream commentaries to connect directly with the people”.

“This is something he has been doing for a long time now, even in the past government and that is what he is still doing”.

Highlighting some of the challenges that follow his uncompromising stance Ms Faye says “Nit Doff is not afraid to lose opportunities because of his stance against injustice in Senegal. As for him, he says it as he sees it. His advocacy led to his annual “Show of the Year” which he has been doing for the past 12 years being cancelled. When his show was cancelled in 2022 it really frustrated him as an artist. He feels like all these actions are a form of injustice against him and an attempt to silence him”.

Asked to provide some more details on why Nit Doff was arrested and if he has been charged, Ms Faye recalls that “he did a Facebook live as usual and later published another video apologizing for anything offensive which he may have said”. Soon “after that, on the 18th of January 2023, he was arrested in his house because of the first live video. He was then taken to the Central Police in Dakar where he was kept for a while. He was taken to court twice and eventually transferred to the main Prison where he currently remains”.

On the activities of Social Justice movements in Senegal Ms Faye revealed that “his close friends and colleagues in the hip hop industry, activists and other political personalities are all supporting him. We have done press conferences, we have demonstrated, we have done sittings and some people have even been arrested and we still report all this in our press conferences”.

“We have also demonstrated in Dakar, and the people of Louga his hometown are also planning on doing their own demonstration. The hip-hop community in Senegal have been visiting him too and every time we go there, he remains in high spirits,” said the advocate.

Our reporter concluded by asking if she believed his arrest was in line with the law and to comment on the public reaction to his arrest. In response, Ms Faye believes that “nobody is happy about his arrest because Nit Doff is someone who has empathy for people, someone who has a good relationship with people. He is an advocate against injustice, even if it’s done to someone who he doesn’t know he is always ready to advocate against injustice. Right now, we should be working on projects and his tours but he has been there since January”.

Team Gom Sa Bopa takes this opportunity to remind the government of Senegal of the “Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, African Commission on Human and People’s Rights” approved by the African Commission at the 32^nd session on 17^th to 23^rd October 2022 in Banjul The Gambia.

Section II of the Declaration focuses on “Interference with Freedom of Expression” and notes that “no one shall be subject to arbitrary interference with his or her freedom of expression” and “any restrictions on freedom of expression shall be provided by law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary and in a democratic society”.

Senegal: opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi announces new series of mobilisations

 From RFI 24/03/2023 

 

A march in Dakar on Wednesday 29 March, on the eve of the trial of Ousmane Sonko for defamation against the Minister of Tourism. Demonstrations "in the 46 departments of the country" on Thursday 30 March, and mobilisations on 3 April, before the bank holidays. This is the plan of action announced Friday 24 March by the leaders of Yewwi Askan Wi, opposition coalition, in the absence of Ousmane Sonko.

"The ultimate goal", according to Déthié Fall, one of the leaders of the coalition, "is the departure of President Macky Sall on 25 February 2024, and the participation of all candidates" in the election.

Yewwi Askan Wi also denounces "arbitrary" arrests after the clashes that occurred last week, in connection with the trial of Ousmane Sonko. This is the case of El Malick Ndiaye, head of communication of the party Pastef, for "dissemination of false news" according to his lawyer and Dr. Babacar Niang, owner of the clinic where Ousmane Sonko was hospitalized for five days.

Creation of a platform
In this arm wrestling, the government is also determined. In the Council of Ministers this week, President Macky Sall called for "measures to ensure the absolute security of people and property", citing "the imperative of preserving democratic gains and public order".

At the same time, some sixty political organisations from the opposition and civil society announced the creation of a platform "for the defence of democratic gains", and against a candidacy of the Head of State for a third term.

Gambia Government Official's concerns on the situation in Senegal

 Statement provided to OPEN GAMBIA 22/03/2023 on condition of annonimity:

The term of the presidency in Senegal changed and not the term limit. It matters not if the term is 5 or 7 years. The term limit remains at a maximum of 2. The Senegalese constitution states that no one can serve more than two consecutive terms. President Sall has confirmed this in his book and speech. We have to stop intellectual dishonesty because it ends up being unintelligent and an insult to the intelligence of Senegalese and Africans. 

 

President Sall just finished his term as the AU chairperson. He was at the forefront of the fight to liberate Gambians post-2016 elections. Was he fighting for Gambians or to ensure a legacy of peace in cassamance? I do not want to sound ungrateful, but his principles and conviction displayed for all to see today are a far cry from those expressed in 2016 and 2017. 

 

What has changed, I ask? 

 

This is the president we all celebrated when his motorcade majestically rolled into The Independence Stadium for the swearing-in ceremony of President Adama Barrow. He even gave a speech on occasion. This is unprecedented. He provided sanctuary for President Adama Barrow to avoid potential elimination by Jammeh and his rogues. Provided sanctuary for Gambians fleeing during the impasse. 

 

President Sall was the poster boy for Democracy in West Africa, and I can even push it further to say, Africa? What changed? Petrol and Gas? 

 

Let’s now revisit all contracts signed with Senegal. We have lost the reexport trade to Senegal. Senegal underwrites our security. Millions of Dollars are paid to Senelec for electricity, paralysing our ability to invest in infrastructural development for an adequate power supply. 

 

These questions should be explored because the man we thought he was is no more. I hate to sound ungrateful, but let’s start to ask the right questions, and the government of the Gambia focus on weaning us from being Senegal's cash cow. I am all in for the bilateral cooperation; however, the ducks are not lining up. 

 

The images from Senegal are all too painful to watch. Seeing your neighbours slide into a dictatorship and the associated brute force is gut-wrenching. We had our fair share, and the wounds have still not healed. 

 

Johnson Salef and President Buhari, two of the trio involved and fighting for Gambians, have democratically handed over the baton ( Nigeria has a president-elect). We expect the same from President Sall. We want to be able to beat our chests and say despite the recent spate of coup d’etat Africa is still registering democratic gains. It’s still not late, and I pray that President Sall can mend the state of affairs through dialogue and respect for human rights.

 

When Senegal sneezes, we catch a cold. This is very much ours as it is theirs.

I hope the new security adviser will fast-track our security sector reform. I pray for peace in Senegal and Africa.

Article contributed by ANON GAMBIA GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

HUMAN RIGHTS IN SENEGAL - SIGN THE PETITION OF PROFESSIONALS & INTELLECTUALS FOR MACKY SALL TO "RETURN TO REASON"

 SENEPLUS 21/03/2023

They are teachers, journalists, stylists, sociologists, members of the sports association movement ... More than 100 intellectuals from Senegal and elsewhere have shared a petition with a common appeal to the President of the Republic, Macky Sall. Concerned, they say, about the situation in Senegal between violation of rights and instrumentalization of justice, these intellectuals have decided to take up the cause and ask the Head of State to come to his senses. Here is their text and the list of signatories.

We are witnessing in Senegal a continual escalation of repression which foreshadows an uncertain future. It is the responsibility of intellectuals and all citizens of good will, natural guardians of endangered freedoms, to defend the fundamental values of a state governed by the rule of law: freedom of expression and movement, freedom to demonstrate peacefully and to assemble, and freedom to proclaim one's support for or opposition to acts of political and social governance.

In this regard, we note a flagrant, repeated and disproportionate violation of citizens' rights, but also the perpetuation of a constant effort to politically instrumentalise the judicial system by the administration of President Macky Sall.

All presidents of the Republic of Senegal have used the justice system for political purposes, but none of them has done so as vehemently and brutally as the current head of state.

 

Beyond our ideological, political and cultural differences, we, the signatories from all countries, strongly condemn the restrictions on the freedom of movement of citizens and the continual instrumentalisation of the judiciary in Senegal.

 

The stability and social peace of the country are under real threat. It is time to come to our senses.

 

It is unacceptable :

 

·         that the fundamental rights of citizens are flouted without follow-up

·         that democracy and the exercise of freedom of expression and movement be confiscated

·         that constitutional rights in the political arena are not respected

·         that the justice system is used for political purposes.

 

We, the signatories of this declaration, call on the Senegalese Head of State to take immediate measures to restore calm, ensure social peace and move away from all challenges to the independence of the judiciary.

 

Below is the list of the current signatories in alphabetical order. You can sign this petition HERE adding your name and affiliation in the comments window on the web page

 

·         Kwame Anthony Appiah, philosopher, writer, professor at NYU, New York

·         Félix Atchadé, doctor, Paris

·         Hawa Ba, sociologist and journalist, Dakar

·         Leona Ba, Professor, Department of International Relations, Georgetown University, Washington

·         Mamadou Ba, academic, professor of literature, Dakar

·         Selly Ba, sociologist, Dakar

·         Boubacar Barry, historian, professor emeritus, UCAD, Dakar

·         Moustapha Barry, telecommunications specialist, Sydney, Australia

·         Alymana Bathily, media sociologist and writer, Dakar

·         Sophie Bessis, journalist, Tunis

·         Xuly Bet, fashion designer, Paris

·         Atoumane Beye, digital business developer, Vanves, France

·         Ousseynou Beye, teacher, Dakar

·         Amzat Boukari-Yabara, historian and writer, president of the Pan-African League

·         Fatou Boye, lawyer, Nice

·         Camille Chalmers, Professor, State University of Haiti, Port-au-Prince

·         Samuel Collin, President, Haitian Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, Paris

·         Emmanuel Desfourneaux, lawyer, political scientist, director of the Afro-European Institute, Paris

·         Lamine Diallo, sociologist, professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

·         Mamadou Diallo, historian, doctoral student, Columbia University, New York

·         Mamadou Alpha Diallo, anthropologist, Universidade Federal de Integração Latino Américana, Brazil

·         Massaer Diallo, political scientist, former head of the OECD Governance, Peace and Security Unit, Dakar

·         Woury Diallo, Treasury inspector, economist, Dakar

·         Malick Diawara, journalist, Paris

·         Babacar Buuba Diop, historian, academic, researcher in social governance

·         Bachir Diop, agronomist, Saint-Louis

·         Boubacar Boris Diop, writer, Dakar

·         Mamadou Diop, retired senior civil servant, Dakar

·         Mamadou Diouf, historian, professor at Columbia University, New York

·         Jean-Claude Djéréké, professor of African literature at Bryn Mawr College, Philadelphia

·         Stephane Douailler, philosopher, professor emeritus, University of Paris 8

·         Samba Doucouré, President Africultures, Paris

·         Elgas, sociologist, journalist, writer and teacher, Paris

·         Michel Lobé Ewane, journalist, director, Joseph Sassoon Group, Cameroon

·         Abdou Salam Fall, sociologist, director of university research, Dakar

·         Mathieu Faye, member of the FIBA World Players' Commission

·         Gilles Eric Foadey, interpreter, media specialist, Addis Ababa

·         Vincent Foucher, Researcher at CNRS, Paris

·         Marilyn Frankenstein, Professor University of Massachusetts, Boston

·         Baye Omar Gueye, journalist, director of Sud FM

·         Serigne Saliou Guèye, teacher, journalist, press director

·         Thierno Gueye, Expert in international law and conflict management

·         Youssoupha Mbargan Guissé, philosopher, sociologist and researcher

·         Neil Hartbarger, writer, Maryland

·         Christine Holzbauer, journalist, reporter, Africa specialist, Paris

·         Jean Claude Icart, sociologist and researcher, Montreal

·         Robert Ismael, journalist, Montreal

·         Chantal Ismé, academic, Maison d'Haiti à Montréal

·         Jacques-Antoine Jean, journalist, teacher, Cambridge, Massachusetts

·         Julien Jumelle, journalist, Citizens' Initiatives, New York

·         Abdoulaye Elimane Kane, philosopher, writer, former Minister of Culture

·         Amadou Elimane Kane, writer, Dakar

·         Jean-Pierre Karegeye, academic, researcher Interdisciplinary Genocide Studies Center, Boston

·         Tidiane Kassé, journalist, press editor and media specialist

·         Francis Kpatindé, journalist, teacher at Sciences Po Paris

·         Mamadou Ismaïla Konaté, lawyer, former Minister of Justice of Mali

·         Cheikhou Konté, financial analyst, Maryland

·         Robert Krueger, academic, researcher, Worcester, Massachusetts

·         René Lake, journalist, international development expert, Washington

·         Koulsy Lamko, writer, poet and academic, Mexico

·         Didier Lassissi, economist, Paris

·         Mohamed Ly, doctor in Grand Mbao, public health specialist

·         Saphie Ly, journalist, director of Nexus Groupe, Dakar

·         Jeanne Maddos, historian, professor emeritus, Howard University, Washington

·         Richard Mathelier, economist, Montreal

·         Aïcha Goundiam Mbodji, pharmacist, Dakar

·         Mamadou Mbodji, psychologist, Dakar

·         Babacar Mboup, engineer, Houston

·         Demba Ndiaye, journalist, editorialist, SenePlus

·         Khadim Ndiaye, philosopher, historian, Udes, Quebec

·         Maty Ndiaye Sy, coach in organisational development, Institut des études avancées, Saint-Louis

·         Mamadou Ndoye, education expert, former Minister of Literacy, Dakar

·         Moussa Ngom, journalist, coordinator of the Maison des Reporters, Dakar

·         Walner Osna, sociologist, University of Ottawa

·         Marie Louise Eteki Otabla, writer, essayist and political scientist, Cameroon

·         Bah Ould Saleck, journalist, press editor, Mauritania

·         Adam Ouologuem, journalist, director of the Africa Society, Washington

·         Gwénola Possémé-Rageau, journalist, international development expert, Paris

·         Ada Pouye, expert in international development and humanitarian emergencies

·         Arthur Powel, researcher, professor, Rutgers University, New Jersey

·         Tabia Pricewill, journalist, Lagos

·         Mahamadou Lamine Sagna, sociologist, academic, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts

·         Alain Sain-Victor, historian and teacher, Montreal

·         Moussa Samb, Associate Professor of Law, expert mediator, Dakar

·         Paap Seen, journalist, Dakar

·         Lamine Sène, linguist, expert in maritime transport and insurance

·         Marilyn Sephocle, language professor at Howard University, Washington

·         Mame Lika Sidibé, archivist, journalist, peace and security expert, Dakar

·         Carolyn Somerville, professor of political science, Hunter College, New York

·         Fatou Sow, sociologist, CNRS, Dakar

·         Pape Touti Sow, consultant in politics and business management

·         Tidiane Sow, mathematician and political communication coach

·         Mamadou Jean-Charles Tall, architect, Dakar

·         Pierre Thiam, chef and gastronomy expert, author and entrepreneur, New York

·         Alvin Thompson, stylist, fashion designer, Washington

·         Mahamet Timera, sociologist, Paris

·         Alioune Tine, Africajom administrator, former regional director, Amnesty International

·         Diala Touré, art historian, Baltimore

·         Aminata DramaneTraoré, writer, former Minister of Culture, Mali

·         Patrice Vermeren, philosopher, professor emeritus, University of Paris 8

·         Almamy Mamadou Wane, writer, essayist and poet, Paris

·         Mamadou Mao Wane, sociologist, expert on child protection issues

·         Cornel West, philosopher, writer, university professor, New York

·         Amadou Tidiane Wone, writer, former Minister of Culture

 

Signed online since initial publication via SENEPLUS:

 

·         Marcel PINA - Former Spokesman Of The Greens Of Senegal In France (Res les Verts)

·         KAMBOU Ollo Mathias - Demographer, doctoral student at Joseph KI ZERBO University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

·         Soeuf Elbadawi- artist and author, Comoros

·         Souleymane COULIBALY dit SOLO SORO, Journalist - Radio Producer

·         Mbalo Ndiaye PhD, Process Engineer, FRANCE

·         Ibrahima Ba - Professor of languages at Denison University, Ohio, USA.

·         Souleymane Gueye - Professor of Economics and Statistics

·         Madjiguene Fall, Researcher, Sociolinguist, Professor. Kean University, New Jersey, USA

·         Adama Diouf, Professor of Philosophy, Ziguinchor

·         Ousmane DIACK Engineer MD

·         MBODJ Madieye, retired professor, Dakar

·         Lamine N'GOM - Academic - Bretagne- France

·         Théophile Kouamouo, Editor-in-Chief Le Media

·         Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, Secretary General of the African People's Democratic Convention (CDPA)

·         Juanita Terry Hartbarger, Arts critic, Maryland

·         Ibrahima Thiam, Professor of philosophy, Dakar

·         Ndiaga Gueye - PhD Researcher in Big Data, Political marketing, Elections, Democracy

·         Aysatou Ndiaye socio-economist consultant, St Louis

·         George Odartey-Lamptey, Translator, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

·         Cheikh Tidjane KANE, Senegalese living in Canada

·         Ousmane Oumar Kane, Professor, Harvard University

·         Cheikh Tidiane Sarr - Computer scientist / Multimedia RTS - Licensed for Pastef Politique

·         Florian Bobin, historian

·         Abdou Aziz SARR, Professor of eco-management, trainer/instructor in applied statistics, Paris, France.

·         Ousmane Thiendella Fall, Canada

·         Annie Jouga, architect, Dakar

·         Alioune Diop - Product engineer, Bilam.

·         Mactar NDONG, Senegalese citizen

·         Ajaa Marie Diop, Project Engineer, France

·         Fabacary SAGNA, Mining Engineer, CANADA

·         Mamour Sop Ndiaye, Professor, Head of Electrical Engineering Department (CEFET), Rio de Janeiro,

·         Oumar Mbacke, computer engineer

·         Pathé Diop, politician, Lille

·         Ousmane NDIAYE Artist musician

·         Makhtar Diop Anthropology biology Environment, health and society (UCAD)

·         Abd el Kade Boye, retired Professor of Law - Former Rector of UCAD - Former Ambassador of Senegal to UNESCO

·         Cheikh Ahmadou Tidiane Mané, Historian

·         Doctoral student at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne

·         Coumba SECK, Management Controller Chamalières

·         Mamadou A Sow, retired senior Treasury inspector, Senegal

·         Issa Ndiaye, former Minister of National Education, Mali

·         Marie Pierre Sarr Lawyer, Senior Lecturer, Dakar

·         Youssouf Cissé, Development & Strategy Consultant, Senegal

·         Elhadj DIAGNE, Social Assistant, Master in Cultural and Mediterranean Studies Montpellier III

·         Diop moustapha - Urban and environmental planner, Senegal

·         Jean Racine MBAYE - Entrepreneur & Musician

·         Claude Essou, CPA Accounting and Financial Expert, USA