<\/p>\n
The three influencers, who worked for Feenal Digital, an online media platform viewed as supportive of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party, were convicted over comments made in a TikTok video.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In the video, the three reportedly prayed for misfortune and death to befall \u201cthe one who betrayed the PASTEF project\u201d. The remark was widely interpreted as referring to Faye.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Senegalese Political Analyst and Cored President Mamadou Thior said the case has intensified debate over freedom of expression and the use of criminal law to protect the Presidency. \u201cThese three people are very close supporters of the former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said the three were convicted for an offence against the Head of State, a charge many civil society actors consider outdated. \u201cMany people here in the civil society and even in other areas are saying that this kind of offence is outdated now,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said jailing people for insulting the Head of State is no longer consistent with Senegal\u2019s democratic standards. \u201cI mean, jailing people for this kind of offence is no longer consistent with the democracy in Senegal,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Thior, one of the influencers was sentenced to three months in prison, while the other two received two-month sentences. Fines were also imposed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said lawyers for the three have confirmed plans to appeal the ruling. \u201cAfter the verdict was known, the lawyers announced to the press that they’re appealing the verdict,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said critics believe a fine would have been more appropriate than imprisonment. \u201cThey could have been fined, just fined and then let it there,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The case comes amid growing political tension between Faye and Sonko. Sonko recently parted ways with Faye, who launched a political party last month.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said the political context has made the case more sensitive, as the three influencers are seen as close to Sonko\u2019s camp. \u201cWhat makes this case a bit critical for these three people, as I said right in the beginning, is that they are very close supporters of Ousmane Sonko,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said Senegal is also preparing to establish a new regulator with authority over social media platforms, following legislation passed earlier this year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Thior, authorities are concerned about abusive language and harmful speech on platforms such as TikTok.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
However, Thior said the ruling has raised fears among journalists, content creators and social media users that criticism of Faye could lead to prosecution.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said the case may be viewed as a political warning as relations between Faye and Sonko continue to deteriorate. \u201cPeople consider that it is a kind of signal coming from the power that people who can behave like these three should wait to go to jail for offending the Head of State,\u201d Thior said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thior said Senegal\u2019s political environment could become more tense ahead of the 2029 Presidential election if trials linked to defamation and insults against the Head of State continue.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sonko has also warned supporters to be careful with language used on digital platforms, amid concern that more arrests could follow.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n
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