The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) adds its voice to those of individuals and media groups in Senegal to plead for the release of Aliou Top, Managing Editor of the online platform Sunugal 24, who has been detained for spreading false news.
He was arrested by the Special Cybersecurity Division on March 13, 2025, following controversial statements he made in January 2025 during a broadcast that caused a stir among the public and made headlines on social networks. Aliou Top allegedly claimed that the Pulaar or Fula community was planning a “sub-regional project” to place politicians from the ethnic group at the head of several West African states.
Following public outcry and recognizing the seriousness of his error, Aliou Top publicly apologized to the management of Radio Fulbé and leaders of Peuhl associations on February 24, 2025. He also withdrew the content in which he had made these allegations.
Nonetheless, the Fula community lodged a complaint against him.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Aliou Top was brought before the court on charges of false publication and inciting ethnic hatred. Placed in custody, he appeared in court for the second time on March 19, 2025, but the case was adjourned to April 2, 2025, due to the absence of the plaintiffs.
Media associations such as the Association des Éditeurs et Professionnels de la Presse en Ligne (APPEL) and the Association Nationale des Professionnels de la Presse en Ligne du Sénégal (ANPELS), of which he is a member, recently issued a press release calling for clemency from judicial authorities and forgiveness from the plaintiffs.
While the Media Foundation for West Africa strongly advocates for freedom of expression and press freedom, we also urge the media in the region to recognize the importance and impact of their role and to act responsibly.
The MFWA joins ANPELS and APPEL in calling for the release of journalist Aliou Top, especially as he has acknowledged his error, apologized, and withdrawn the offending content.