Justice and society: Cheikh Ba advocates for judicial neutrality and reframes the debate on freedoms

The president of the Union of Magistrates of Senegal (UMS), Cheikh Ba, shared his vision of the judiciary and the exercise of public freedoms during his appearance on the program "JDD" on iTV. Between defending the independence of judges and calling for the responsible use of freedom of expression, he emphasized the role of magistrates as guarantors of democracy and social peace.

From the outset, Cheikh Ba rejected the idea of ​​a break between magistrates of yesterday and those of today. "There is no difference between the magistrate of 1960 and the magistrate of 2026," he asserted, believing that the foundations of the function remain unchanged. According to him, a magistrate remains first and foremost a servant of the State, charged with administering justice in the name of the Senegalese people. He described them as an agent of development, a social stabilizer, and a regulator of social life, subject to the demands of ethics, professional conduct, and independence.

A servant of the law without qualms

The president of the UMS, however, insists that a judge is not detached from reality. "A magistrate is a product of Senegalese society," he emphasizes, reminding everyone that they share the same traditions, values, and realities as other citizens. But once entrusted with their mission, they must rise above it and set aside all personal considerations to rule solely in accordance with the law.

This neutrality, according to him, constitutes the foundation of the judicial function. "The magistrate has no qualms. He is not there to seek friends or to have enemies. He is there to resolve disputes in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Republic," affirms Cheikh Ba, recalling that the judge must be guided neither by emotions nor by pressure.

Freedom and responsibility: an essential balance

Addressing the issue of freedom of expression, the president of the UMS (Union of Senegalese Movements) emphasized that it is a fundamental achievement of Senegalese democracy, won through long struggles. However, he cautioned against the dangers of invoking this freedom without accepting the consequences. "There is no freedom without responsibility," he insisted. In his view, every citizen is free to express themselves, to undertake projects, and to participate in public debate, but this freedom must be exercised with respect for the law and the rights of others.

Cheikh Ba believes that a segment of society today enjoys civil liberties without fully appreciating the sacrifices made to achieve them. According to him, some think they can "say whatever they want, about whomever they want, whenever they want," forgetting that exercising any freedom also entails responsibility. For the president of the UMS, preserving the rule of law therefore requires a constant balance between individual freedoms and respect for the rules that govern collective life.