Paris Court Rejects Macky Sall Website Block Bid

• Former Senegalese President Macky Sall attempted to block the critical website nonamacky.org in France, citing damage to his honor and image.
• The Tribunal judiciaire de Paris rejected Sall's request, ruling that the website's serious accusations targeted state institutions, not him personally.
• The court also found that using Sall's photograph, even with an unflattering stamp, was a legitimate exercise of the right to inform on a public interest subject.
• All of Sall's demands were dismissed in the September 9 decision, which came shortly before an unfavorable UN Security Council vote on his candidacy for Secretary-General.
• The ruling underscores a high threshold for public figures seeking to censor critical online content in France, particularly concerning matters of public interest.

The court clarified that the criticism targeted entities such as the state, the administration, and security forces, rather than the former president in his individual capacity.

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall recently sought to have a critical website, nonamacky.org, blocked within French territory. The website, operated by a collective identifying with human rights advocacy, details controversial events from Sall's second presidential term, including the repression of protests between 2021 and 2023 linked to Ousmane Sonko and the Pastef party. Sall, who launched his campaign for the succession of António Guterres as UN Secretary-General in March 2026, initiated legal proceedings against various telecom operators and technical service providers before the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris.

The legal action was predicated on claims that the website damaged his honor and image. However, the French court ultimately rejected all of Sall's demands for a blocking order, a decision that was reported by Jeune Afrique on September 22, referencing the court's ruling from September 9. This outcome marks a significant development for freedom of expression public figure France, particularly concerning online content critical of public figures.

The Tribunal judiciaire de Paris delivered a decisive ruling, finding that the most serious allegations presented on nonamacky.org – specifically those concerning repression, corruption, and infringements on liberties – were directed at state institutions rather than Macky Sall personally. The court clarified that the criticism targeted entities such as the state, the administration, and security forces, rather than the former president in his individual capacity. This distinction proved crucial in the court's decision to deny a general blocking order for the website.

Furthermore, the court addressed the website's use of a photograph of the former president, which included an unflattering stamp. Judges determined that this usage fell legitimately within the scope of the right to inform the public on a matter of public interest. This aspect of the ruling underscores the high threshold for public figures seeking to block critical online content in French courts, particularly when the content addresses matters of public interest.

Following the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris Macky Sall ruling, all of the former president's requests were dismissed. Antoine Vey, Sall's lawyer, offered a measured response to Jeune Afrique, indicating that he welcomed the decision primarily because it affirmed the competence of the French judiciary to hear the case. This acknowledgment suggests a focus on jurisdictional clarity despite the unfavorable outcome for his client.

The collective responsible for nonamacky.org chose not to comment on the proceedings, citing the possibility of further legal action, but confirmed that the website remains online and accessible. The judgment was rendered just nine days prior to a third indicative vote by the UN Security Council, a vote that was reportedly not favorable to the Senegalese candidacy for the Secretary-General position. This timing adds another layer of context to the former president's efforts to control his public image.

This ruling from the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris reinforces the robust protections for freedom of expression within the French legal framework, especially when criticism targets public figures and institutions on matters of public interest. The court's emphasis on distinguishing between personal defamation and criticism directed at governmental bodies sets a clear precedent. It indicates that public figures face a significant hurdle when attempting to censor online content, particularly when that content contributes to public debate about governance and human rights.

The decision highlights that the mere presence of an unflattering image or strong criticism does not automatically warrant a blocking order, provided the content serves to inform the public on relevant issues. This outcome will be closely watched by legal professionals advising on online content moderation and cross-border defamation claims, as it clarifies the balance between reputation protection and the fundamental right to disseminate information in France.

This ruling clarifies the high threshold for public figures seeking to block critical online content in French courts, particularly when the content addresses matters of public interest and targets institutions rather than personal defamation. Lawyers advising on freedom of expression, online content moderation, or cross-border defamation claims should note this precedent regarding the balance between reputation protection and the right to inform.

Source: Original reporting via Jeune Afrique