(Dakar) The attack on a journalist during the night from Thursday to Friday near her home in Dakar arouses strong indignation in Senegal, plunged into a serious political crisis since the postponement of the presidential election.
Maimouna Ndour Faye, journalist and general director of the private channel 7TV, was “savagely attacked and violently stabbed three times near her home” in Dakar, the channel said in a press release.
“She was immediately hospitalized and her condition remains stable,” adds 7TV.
The motive for the attack is currently unknown.
Host of a very popular show, “L’hôte de MNF”, where she often receives political figures, Maimouna Ndour Faye is known for her outspokenness and her sometimes controversial positions. She has indicated in the past that she has been the subject of death threats.
Friday morning, social networks relayed images showing the journalist lying on a stretcher, her clothes red with blood, her hand resting on her stomach.
“I strongly condemn this cowardly and inexcusable act of violence against journalist Maimouna Ndour Faye,” reacted President Macky Sall in a message on his X account.
“Freedom of the press is a fundamental right that must be protected and respected in all circumstances. No form of violence can be tolerated, and those responsible for this aggression will have to answer for their actions before the courts,” he added.
The opposition coalition “Diomaye President” also condemned a “brutal” and “heinous” attack against the journalist and asked the authorities to do what is necessary to elucidate this matter.
At the end of the afternoon, several dozen journalists gathered in front of the 7TV premises to show their support for their colleague, some carrying signs reading: “The stabbed press! Senegal is bleeding.”
Several of them called on “the authorities to ensure the safety of journalists”.
Political leaders from all sides also came to lend their support to the journalist and reiterate their attachment to press freedom.