Opposition Candidate Arrested While Visiting Detained Protesters in Ziguinchor

On June 18, Guy-Marius Sagna, a candidate for deputy in the Ziguinchor department, was arbitrarily arrested while visiting 33 protesters who had been detained for their involvement in an "unauthorized demonstration." The protesters had been arrested during the June 17 unrest that gripped the country, which saw widespread demonstrations organized by the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi (YAW).

Sagna, who was attempting to check on the welfare of the detained individuals at the Ziguinchor gendarmerie, was taken into custody without clear justification, prompting further outcry from opposition parties and human rights organizations. His arrest, along with those of the demonstrators, has been widely criticized as part of a broader effort to stifle political dissent and suppress opposition activities.

The 33 detained protesters are scheduled to face trial on June 28, 2022, in Ziguinchor, with charges relating to their participation in the unauthorized demonstration. Sagna’s arrest highlights the ongoing political tension in the region, as well as concerns over the growing use of detention and legal proceedings against those opposing the government.

Opposition leaders continue to decry what they view as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence their supporters, while calls for justice and transparency in the treatment of detainees have grown louder.