For long moments, the mutiny at the Liberté 6 penal camp was watched live on social media.  Emanating from a search of room 8 of the penitentiary establishment, the revolt generated scenes of violence. According to the Dap, which announced the opening of an investigation, there were no injuries, let alone any deaths.

The Dakar penal camp was the scene of a mutiny that shook social networks. The movement was followed on television using prisoners’ phones who broadcast it live on the web. According to Law 362 of May 4, 2001, prison guards have the right to search cells. Yesterday, this routine search went wrong in this prison, located in the soft underbelly of Dakar. There was a clash between prisoners and prison guards. According to sources, the electricity was also cut for long hours.

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Faced with such a situation, the Minister of Justice, Ousmane Diagne, went to the Penal Camp to inquire about the situation. This passage helped to restore calm. Yesterday evening, the Directorate of Prison Administration issued a press release to recount the film of events: “This Wednesday, June 19 around 9 a.m., information reporting a mutiny at the Liberté 6 penal camp was relayed in the media. Videos and images taken by the detainees circulated on social networks, offending the sensibilities of many people, particularly the parents of the detainees.” This is a terrible observation for the Dap: “The images and videos coming from inside this penitentiary establishment, fraudulently filmed by the inmates, result from an incident that occurred after the residents of room 8 of the Liberty Penal Camp 6 refused to submit to the roll call; which remains a mandatory security measure. They then deliberately set fire to their bedding.” Despite the protests of the detainees, the situation did not “degenerate”. According to the Dap, it was “quickly brought under control by the personnel on duty. No injuries were reported, let alone a loss of human life.”

Today, the Dap must answer a pack of questions: how did the phones get into the prison? How can trafficking take place in a place of deprivation of liberty? Could there be accomplices among the staff? In any case, the Directorate of Prison Administration has announced the opening of an investigation.

By Justin GOMIS / justin@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH