SENEGALESE PROTESTERS STORM UN HOUSE OVER ‘ILLEGAL DETENTION’ OF JOURNALISTS, UNION LEADERS

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By:Abdullahi Inuwa 

Hundreds of angry protesters stormed the United Nations office in Dakar on Tuesday, demanding immediate intervention over what they called the “unlawful and undemocratic detention” of several journalists and trade union leaders by Senegalese authorities.

Chanting slogans such as “Free the press, free our voice!” and waving placards with messages like “UN Must Act Now!” and “Stop the Silence on Senegal Repression!”, the crowd blocked access roads leading to the UN House, prompting a brief lockdown of the facility.

The protest, organized by a coalition of civil society groups and student unions, comes days after prominent journalists and unionists were reportedly picked up in late-night raids following their vocal criticism of recent government policies. The arrests, described by rights groups as politically motivated, have drawn widespread condemnation both locally and internationally.

“This is no longer just about media freedom. It’s about the survival of our democracy,” said Fatou Diop, a university student leader. “We want the UN and the world to hear us. We will not be silenced.”

According to the Senegalese Press Union, at least seven journalists have been detained without formal charges in the last two weeks, while four labor leaders face undisclosed accusations under the country’s national security laws.

UN officials acknowledged the protest, stating that the organization is closely monitoring the situation. “We respect the right to peaceful protest and have received the petition from the demonstrators. We are reviewing it in line with our mandate to promote human rights and press freedom,” said a spokesperson for the UN Office in Dakar.

Meanwhile, government officials have remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the alleged detentions. Security forces maintained a heavy presence around the UN compound, but no violence was reported during the demonstration.

International watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International, have urged Senegalese authorities to release the detainees and uphold press and labor freedoms.

As tensions rise, many fear that the crackdown signals a troubling slide toward authoritarianism in one of West Africa’s traditionally stable democracies.

More to follow.

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