Three Senegalese social media personalities—Mandoumbe Diop (popularly known as Lamignou Darou), Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep), and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba)—have been handed firm prison sentences for producing and sharing a video deemed offensive to the nation’s highest authority. Lamignou Darou received a three-month jail term, while Oustaz Thiep and Ndiaye Touba were each sentenced to two months. In addition to their prison terms, the trio was ordered to pay fines of 500,000 West African CFA francs.

The video in question, which quickly gained traction on TikTok, was filmed following a religious gathering. In its content, the influencers can be heard invoking prayers against what they described as the “greatest traitor of Senegal,” explicitly mentioning wishes for the individual to suffer paralysis, a stroke, or even death. Although the targeted figure was never named, the court ruled that the remarks were clearly directed at President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Political backdrop fuels controversy

This judicial decision unfolds against a backdrop of deepening political divisions between President Faye and his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko. The head of state recently formalized the end of their alliance by launching his own political party, a move that has further strained relations between the two figures. The defense team, led by attorney Me Abdy Nar Ndiaye, has strongly contested the verdict. Arguing that the video was a satirical performance without direct references to the president, the lawyer condemned the ruling as a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression in Senegal. An appeal has been announced.