Madiambal Diagne: International Arrest Warrant Annulment Request Filed

• Madiambal Diagne, currently in France, has had his request for the annulment of an international arrest warrant registered.
• He attributes the case against him to a "cabale" orchestrated by Ousmane Sonko, alleging previous judicial obstruction.
• Diagne seeks guarantees for his physical safety and a fair judicial process before returning to Senegal.
• He expresses confidence in the new Senegalese government, believing they will not unjustly pursue citizens.
• Diagne suggests President Bassirou Diomaye Faye now understands the importance of preserving rights, unlike during Ousmane Sonko's influence.

Diagne characterizes the legal action against him as a "cabale," or conspiracy, which he attributes directly to Ousmane Sonko.

Madiambal Diagne, a Senegalese citizen residing in France, is currently facing an international arrest warrant. Recently, his formal request for the annulment of this warrant has been officially registered for processing, marking a significant step in his ongoing legal battle. Diagne has consistently expressed a strong desire to return to Senegal, his home country, which he views as his natural environment for personal and professional growth alongside his family, colleagues, and the broader Senegalese populace.

He has actively pursued all available avenues to facilitate his prompt return, emphasizing that his initial departure from Senegal was driven by concerns for his personal safety. Consequently, his return is contingent upon receiving assurances regarding his physical security and the guarantee of a fair and equitable judicial process. These conditions remain paramount for him as the annulment proceedings advance.

Diagne characterizes the legal action against him as a "cabale," or conspiracy, which he attributes directly to Ousmane Sonko. He alleges that certain individuals within the Senegalese justice system deliberately hindered the examination of an earlier annulment request he submitted on October 8, 2025. According to Diagne, these actors understood that a fair review would inevitably lead to a favorable decision for him, an outcome he claims Sonko vehemently opposed. He suggests that various tactics, including obstructions and stratagems, were employed to prevent the processing of his previous application.

However, Diagne perceives a notable shift in the political landscape following the installation of a new governmental team. He believes this new administration is not aligned with the previous "logic of chasing and unjustly tracking a Senegalese citizen." This change in political will, he contends, has paved the way for his current annulment request to be formally registered, and he remains optimistic that the review will result in a favorable ruling.

Should the international arrest warrant be annulled, Diagne asserts he would have no objective reason to delay his return to Senegal. He explicitly identifies Ousmane Sonko, who served as Prime Minister from April 2024 to May 2026 and is currently the President of the National Assembly, along with former Interior Minister Bamba Cissé and Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration Yassine Fall, as the key figures who sought to target him. With these individuals no longer holding their respective offices, Diagne expresses confidence in the current government.

He specifically names Moussa Sarr, the current Minister of Justice, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, the Minister of Interior, and Prime Minister Alhaminou Lô, stating his belief that they would not engage in actions infringing upon citizens' liberties and rights. Diagne further suggests that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who he notes "let it happen" during Sonko's period of influence, now appears to have a different perspective. He believes President Faye has come to understand that Sonko's actions involved the unjust pursuit of individuals and has recognized that this approach was misguided, thereby grasping the importance of upholding fundamental rights.

This development highlights the potential for political transitions to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in high-profile cases involving international arrest warrants. Lawyers should advise clients to monitor shifts in government policy and judicial independence in Senegal, as these can significantly impact the viability of legal challenges and the security of individuals facing politically charged accusations.

Source: Original reporting via Senegalese press.