Momo Cissé: Senegal Charges Columnist In False News Prosecution

• Sen TV columnist Mamadou Cissé, known as Momo Cissé, faces charges in Senegal for disseminating false news.
• The charges stem from his broadcast comments about the arrest and alleged assault of social media influencer Nourah Ba.
• Cissé was taken into custody by the Special Cybersecurity Division (DSC) and later granted provisional release, with a court hearing scheduled for October 21, 2026.
• He informed investigators that his information was not fabricated but obtained from individuals close to Ms. Ba.
• The Media Foundation for West Africa has condemned the criminal proceedings, advocating for freedom of expression and non-custodial measures for press-related offenses.

The Media Foundation for West Africa has strongly condemned these criminal proceedings, arguing that allegations of disseminating false news should not automatically lead to criminal prosecution, especially when commentary is based on reported testimonies from close sources.

Mamadou Cissé, widely recognized as Momo Cissé, a columnist for Sen TV, is currently facing legal action in Senegal following remarks he made during a broadcast. The proceedings stem from comments Cissé offered about social media influencer Nourah Ba, who had been arrested on October 9, 2026. Cissé's discussion, which aired on the Sen Téranga YouTube channel, focused on the circumstances surrounding Ms. Ba's apprehension and the conditions of her subsequent detention.

During the program, Momo Cissé specifically criticized the alleged assault of the influencer and the manner in which the legal process against her was being handled. He recounted, in Wolof, that police officers encountered Nourah and her cousin on the Corniche coastal road. According to Cissé, Ms. Ba was arrested on accusations of insulting the President and religious leaders, then severely beaten, prompting her to retaliate. She was subsequently taken to the Special Cybersecurity Division (DSC), leading Cissé to question whether prosecutors initiate proceedings on their own motion in such cases.

Cissé was taken into police custody by the Senegalese Special Cybersecurity Division on October 15, 2026, just days after his broadcast. When questioned by investigators, the columnist stated that he had not fabricated the information but had obtained it from individuals closely associated with Nourah Ba. He was presented before the Dakar Public Prosecutor on October 16, 2026, where he was formally charged with disseminating false news. Cissé has since been granted provisional release, with a hearing before the Dakar Court of First Instance scheduled for October 21, 2026.

The charges against Momo Cissé fall under Senegal's legal framework concerning the dissemination of false news, a provision that has drawn scrutiny from press freedom advocates. The involvement of the Special Cybersecurity Division (DSC) in Cissé's arrest underscores the state's active monitoring and prosecution of content deemed problematic, particularly in the digital sphere. This case highlights the potential for criminal charges related to public commentary, even when individuals claim to have sourced their information.

The specific charge of disseminating false news carries significant implications for journalists, commentators, and citizens engaging in public discourse in Senegal. The swift action by the Special Cybersecurity Division Senegal, leading to Cissé's custody and formal charges, signals a robust enforcement posture against perceived misinformation. This environment necessitates a careful approach for anyone reporting on or discussing sensitive public affairs, as the threshold for prosecution appears to include information derived from third-party testimonies.

The prosecution of Momo Cissé for disseminating false news in Senegal has drawn strong condemnation from international organizations concerned with media freedom. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has strongly condemned these criminal proceedings, arguing that allegations of disseminating false news should not automatically lead to criminal prosecution, especially when commentary is based on reported testimonies from close sources. This stance underscores a critical debate about the balance between combating misinformation and safeguarding journalistic inquiry and freedom of expression Senegal.

The MFWA has urged Senegalese authorities to uphold fundamental principles of freedom of expression and press freedom. They advocate for the prioritization of proportionate measures other than deprivation of liberty for offenses related to the press. This case, involving Mamadou Cissé charges Senegal and the Nourah Ba arrest controversy, serves as a significant indicator of the heightened risks faced by media professionals and individuals who comment on public affairs, particularly when their information, even if sourced, is challenged by authorities.

Lawyers advising media entities, journalists, or individuals commenting on public affairs in Senegal should be aware of the active prosecution of 'disseminating false news' by the Special Cybersecurity Division, even when information is sourced, indicating a heightened risk for content-related criminal charges and potential implications for freedom of expression.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica