Tribunal Militaire de Grande Instance Hors Classe de Dakar: Fallou Sène Case Adjourned to October 30

• The trial of Captain Moustapha Sané, accused of involuntary homicide in the death of student Fallou Sène during a university protest in 2018, has been adjourned to October 30, 2026.
• Captain Sané has admitted to being the author of the deadly bullet and has expressed regret over the loss of life.
• The trial is significant not only because of the gravity of the charges but also because it highlights the complexities of maintaining order in sensitive environments such as universities.
• Involuntary homicide is a serious offense in Senegalese law, carrying significant penalties for those found guilty.
• The trial is expected to be complex, with multiple witnesses and a large amount of evidence to be presented.

Captain Sané has admitted to being the author of the deadly bullet and has expressed regret over the loss of life.

The trial of Captain Moustapha Sané, accused of involuntary homicide in the death of student Fallou Sène during a university protest in 2018, has been adjourned to October 30, 2026. The case was initially called for hearing on July 31, 2026, at the Tribunal militaire de Grande Instance Hors Classe de Dakar, but was postponed at the request of the collective of lawyers representing the civil party led by Me Assane Dioma Ndiaye.

The incident occurred on May 15, 2018, when students from the Université Gaston Berger (UGB) protested for payment of their scholarships. Fallou Sène, a student known for his calm demeanor, was shot and killed by a gendarme during the clashes. The officer who fired the fatal shot, Captain Moustapha Sané, has admitted to being the author of the deadly bullet and has expressed regret over the loss of life.

The trial is significant not only because of the gravity of the charges but also because it highlights the complexities of maintaining order in sensitive environments such as universities.

The case against Captain Moustapha Sané is being tried under Senegal's military justice system, which has jurisdiction over crimes committed by military personnel. The trial is expected to be a closely watched affair, given the high-profile nature of the charges and the fact that it involves a senior military officer.

Involuntary homicide is a serious offense in Senegalese law, carrying significant penalties for those found guilty. The prosecution will need to prove that Captain Sané's actions were not only reckless but also intentional, as he has claimed to have acted in self-defense during the chaotic protest.

The trial is expected to be complex, with multiple witnesses and a large amount of evidence to be presented. Lawyers representing both sides are likely to engage in intense debate over the interpretation of the law and the application of the facts in this case.

The trial of Captain Moustapha Sané is a critical test for Senegal's military justice system, which has faced criticism for its handling of sensitive cases involving military personnel. The outcome will have significant implications not only for the accused but also for the broader community, particularly in the context of university protests and police-military interactions.

The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the military justice system, as well as the importance of upholding the rule of law in sensitive environments. The trial is a reminder that even senior military officers are not above the law and must be held accountable for their actions.

As the trial approaches, lawyers and observers will be closely watching developments, particularly given the high-profile nature of the charges and the fact that it involves a senior military officer.

Lawyers should watch for the upcoming trial of Captain Moustapha Sané, who is accused of homicide involuntarily causing the death of student Fallou Sène during a university protest in 2018.

Source: Original reporting via Le Témoin