The detention of prominent political figure Ndiaga Seck has ignited a fresh wave of debate across Senegal. The opposition leader now faces allegations of ‘unnatural acts’ and was formally charged by Louga’s investigative judge before being remanded in custody.

Amid the unfolding legal drama, social media chatter has begun drawing questionable connections between Seck’s situation and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. However, Babacar Ba, president of the Forum des Justiciables, has forcefully rejected these insinuations, branding them an orchestrated smear campaign.

smear tactics condemned by civil rights leader

In a strongly worded statement, Babacar Ba condemned efforts to link an ongoing criminal case to a sitting head of government. He emphasized that Prime Minister Sonko represents the integrity of Senegal’s institutions, stating that attempts to tarnish his reputation amount to an attack on the very foundations of the state.

Ba stressed that the legal proceedings against Ndiaga Seck should not be exploited as a tool to undermine Ousmane Sonko’s standing. ‘Using such allegations as a pretext to smear a high-ranking official is not only unethical but fundamentally incompatible with the rule of law,’ he declared.

He further warned that fabricating associations between unrelated legal cases and political leaders threatens the stability of Senegal’s democratic institutions, urging citizens to reject such divisive narratives.