A Senegalese court has sentenced three TikTok influencers to prison for posts that allegedly insulted President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The ruling has triggered criticism from those who say it reflects growing concerns over freedom of expression and online speech in Senegal.
The three influencers work with an online content platform. Some observers say the platform’s content is favourable towards former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the PASTEF party.
The case comes as tensions rise within Senegal’s ruling political camp following a public split between President Faye and Sonko, who were once close allies. Faye recently launched his own political party, further deepening divisions between the two political figures.
The most severe sentence was handed to Mandoumbe Diop, known online as Lamignou Darou.
He was sentenced to three months in prison without suspension.
Diop is the most followed of the three influencers, with more than 500,000 followers on TikTok. His videos regularly attract tens of thousands of views.
Two other Feenal Digital creators, Magueye Diaw, known as Oustaz Thiep, and Moustapha Ndiaye, known as Ndiaye Touba, were each sentenced to two months in prison without suspension.
They were also fined 500,000 CFA francs each, an amount equivalent to around $800, according to their lawyer.
The three influencers were represented by lawyer Abdy Nar Ndiaye, who argued that their TikTok videos were comedic and did not justify criminal prosecution.
Feenal Digital describes itself as an online platform that promotes government and private-sector activities on Facebook.
The sentencing comes during a period of political uncertainty in Senegal following the fallout between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko.
The two leaders previously worked together and played key roles in the rise of the PASTEF political movement. Their public disagreement has exposed divisions within Senegal’s ruling camp.
