The former mayor of Dakar, Barthélémy Diasa prominent figure in the Senegalese opposition, returns to the forefront of the political and judicial scene. He announced the holding of a press briefing this Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a highly anticipated speech in a climate marked by tensions and controversies around his person.
On December 13, 2024, Barthélémy Dias was dismissed from his position as mayor of Dakar by the Senegalese state, a decision motivated by his conviction for intentional homicide. The facts behind this conviction date back to 2011, but their impact continues to shape his political trajectory. This revocation closely followed another major measure: his forfeiture of his mandate as deputy, voted by the National Assembly on December 6, 2024, at the request of the Ministry of Justice.
These successive decisions illustrate the intensity of the issues that the opponent must face, in a context where his legal disputes take an eminently political turn. Despite these setbacks, Barthélémy Dias does not give up. He has affirmed his desire to challenge these decisions by initiating what he describes as a “long legal battle” to regain his duties as mayor. According to him, these measures are less the result of justice than of a political calculation aimed at removing him from the public scene.
This struggle is not limited to one’s own situation. On January 6, 2025, three members of his security team were sentenced to three years in prison, further fueling tensions. These convictions reinforce the perception, among his supporters, of a concerted offensive against Barthélémy Dias and his entourage.
The press briefing announced for this Tuesday is seen as an opportunity for Barthélémy Dias to reaffirm his position and unveil his next actions. Observers and supporters expect him to outline the details of his strategy, both judicially and politically.
For Barthélémy Dias, these challenges do not come down to a simple confrontation with the judicial system. They are part of a broader struggle to preserve its place on the Senegalese political scene. His determination to confront what he perceives as maneuvers aimed at sidelining him demonstrates an unwavering desire to remain an influential voice in the opposition.
