The New Responsibility (NR) political movement has sounded the alarm over what it calls a "democratic backsliding" in Senegal. In a statement released Monday, the party accused the current regime, led by PASTEF, of using judicial repression as a "daily practice."

Arrests deemed arbitrary

The NR said it condemns "with the utmost energy" the harassment and arrests of several prominent figures, including businessmen, journalists, columnists, activists, politicians, and members of civil society. It cites in particular Lat Diop, Badara Gadiaga, and Abdou Nguer, who have been arrested in recent weeks.

The movement focused in particular on the case of Farba Ngom, who is still detained despite, according to him, consistent medical opinions from experts recommending his release.

The Amadou Ba case in the background

The NR also condemned the imprisonment of Cheikh Tidiane Seck, a driver, and Ibrahima Ba, son of former Prime Minister Amadou Ba. The political party believes these arrests "are more a matter of underhand political maneuvering than real legal disputes."

According to the NR, public opinion clearly perceives that "behind the son, it is the father who is targeted", adding that Ibrahima Ba has never worked in a public entity nor benefited from state contracts.

A call for national unity

Beyond the denunciations, the movement demands the "immediate and unconditional" release of all those it describes as political prisoners. It calls on the Senegalese to unite to defend "the safeguarding of the rule of law, the consolidation of democratic achievements, and the promotion of the ideals of peace, justice, equity, and economic progress."

Referral to the international community

The NR also calls on the international community, development partners, and countries friendly to Senegal, alerting them to "serious attacks on democracy and the rule of law." The movement points out that Senegal is bound by international commitments, notably the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Mobilization of activists

Finally, the movement urges its activists to remain vigilant and mobilized in order to defend "by all legal means" the inalienable rights of Senegalese citizens, without distinction of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.