(SenePlus) – Columbia University announced that former President Macky Sall will not participate in the Africa Conference scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2024. This decision follows a citizen campaign, questioning the legitimacy of his presence at this event prestigious.
At the heart of this mobilization is Oumou Diallo, a Senegalese national residing in Louisville, Kentucky. Ms. Diallo launched a petition demanding the exclusion of Macky Sall from the conference, and directly appealed to the university administration through a letter sent to interim president Katrina Armstrong.
In her missive, Ms. Diallo paints a gloomy picture of Macky Sall’s record:
- Imprisonment of more than 2,000 political opponents
- Violent repression causing the death of at least 86 demonstrators
- Promulgation of an amnesty law in February 2024, considered as a judicial shield for Sall and his entourage
- Maneuvers perceived as undemocratic, notably the postponement of the last presidential election
- Economic scandals, including allegations of falsification of data transmitted to the IMF
Faced with growing pressure, the organizers of the Africa Conference finally gave in. In a response sent to the Africa In Harlem collective, Wednesday October 16, they confirmed the absence of Macky Sall, citing “unforeseen circumstances”. They also reaffirmed their commitment to an open dialogue on the future of the African continent.
The ousting of Macky Sall from this leading academic event raises important questions. It highlights the growing power of citizen mobilizations in the digital age, capable of influencing institutional decisions on an international scale.
This case also questions the responsibility of universities in the selection of their speakers, particularly when it comes to political figures with a controversial past. Finally, it opens a debate on the balance between academic freedom of expression and ethical considerations linked to human rights and democratic governance.
Senegal
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