🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
JAMRA rejects amnesty for intentional criminal acts, citing sanctity of human life
via SeneNews5 min read
Mame Mactar Guèye, vice-president of the Islamic NGO JAMRA, reiterated the organization's firm rejection of Senegal's amnesty law, a stance held since February 2024. In a public statement, Guèye emphasized that JAMRA has never supported, and will never support, an amnesty that covers intentional criminal acts. This applies whether the acts were committed by protesters or law enforcement, as the organization upholds the principle of the sanctity of human life. Guèye questioned how an amnesty could be granted to a police officer who intentionally killed an unarmed demonstrator, or to individuals who terrorized populations, destroyed public and private property, and allegedly murdered two young girls, Fatimata Bineta Diallo 21 and Oumou Kalsom Diallo 8, who were burned alive in a minibus on August 1, 2023. He also criticized the potential amnesty for those who vandalized and looted supermarkets, destroyed gas stations, and burned university amphitheaters and buses. JAMRA maintains that it has never favored amnesty for knowingly committed criminal acts, recalling that intentional arson is criminalized, alongside drug criminalization, cattle theft, armed robbery, and rape. The organization insists that anyone who commits a voluntary crime, regardless of whether they are police or protesters, should face the consequences of their actions, citing the Quranic verse from Sôratul Ma’ida, Verse 32: "Whoever intentionally kills his neighbor, it is as if he has murdered all of humanity."
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadThe government has officially announced the reopening of Ziguinchor Airport on April 30, with the first commercial flight scheduled for May 1. Technical teams have been working continuously to bring the infrastructure up to standard. A calibration aircraft from Spain conducted successful runway tests, ensuring passenger safety. This reopening is the initial phase of a broader plan to improve access to Casamance. Following the completion of work at Ziguinchor, resources will be reallocated to Cap Skiring Airport for similar modernization efforts. Concurrently, the state is accelerating road projects in the region to enhance trade and boost local tourism, underscoring its commitment to national mobility.
The competition to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final has moved beyond institutional discussions, with Spanish daily AS publishing a comparative analysis between Spain and Morocco, co-organizers of the tournament with Portugal. The Spanish media outlet highlighted Spain's organizational reliability, citing the Copa del Rey final in Seville, which hosted over 70,000 spectators in a controlled environment, and the 2018 Copa Libertadores final held in Madrid as examples of the country's capacity to manage major events. Conversely, AS mentioned recent difficulties in Morocco, specifically the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, which reportedly experienced tensions and a dispute brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The article noted that the comparison did not include certain internal Spanish issues, such as the withdrawal of cities like Málaga and La Coruña from World Cup organization and incidents of Islamophobic chants at the RCDE Stadium. The designation of the stadium for the final remains a strategic issue among candidate cities, including Madrid and Casablanca, where a large stadium project is underway, as the competition between host countries continues alongside tournament preparations.
Must ReadFormer Senegalese President Macky Sall continues his bid for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, despite some domestic reservations. He has garnered international and African support, including from Mamadou Mouctar Diallo, former Minister of Youth under Alpha Condé. In an article published on Guinéematin.com, Diallo, founder of the New Democratic Forces NFD party, stated that Sall's candidacy is particularly relevant. He highlighted Sall's record, emphasizing his management of political and institutional tensions during his presidency and his ability to maintain institutional stability. Diallo also pointed to economic reforms under Sall's leadership, such as the Plan Sénégal Émergent PSE, which he described as a catalyst for national transformation, and advancements in sustainable development. Furthermore, Diallo noted Sall's continental contributions as the former Chairperson of the African Union, where he played an active role in managing sensitive situations, supporting political transitions through dialogue, and advocating for Africa on the international stage, particularly during the global food crisis. Diallo believes Sall's profile is well-suited to current UN challenges, citing his ability to unite, reconcile diverse interests, and promote an inclusive approach. He also suggested that Sall's election would elevate Africa's role in global governance.
Senegal's Minister of Public Service, Olivier Boucal, announced the upcoming recruitment of 2,500 new health workers. This initiative aims to strengthen the Senegalese healthcare system by increasing medical and paramedical staff nationwide, particularly in remote areas, to address personnel shortages. The recruitment is part of a broader strategy to improve public service and ensure better care for the population. The Ministry of Public Service will utilize new digital platforms for managing the careers and assignments of these 2,500 agents. This announcement highlights health as a top priority for current public policies in 2026.