Senegal: The murder of Maitre Babacar Seye - a political killing?

Index Number: AFR 49/006/1993
Date Published: 19 October 1993
Categories: Africa, Senegal

Several people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Maitre Babacar Seye, Vice President of the Constitutional Council, on 15 May 1993. At least five members of the main opposition party, the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), including its Secretary General, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, have been formally charged. There are concerns that Mody Sy, an elected PDS member of parliament was tortured in the Gendarmerie du Thiong in Dakar soon after his arrest on 20 May 1993. He remains at Dakar's central prison on charges related to the murder. In July, a young woman, Ramata Gueye, who was held for two days, was reportedly tortured while being questioned by the Gendarmerie in both Pout and Thies.