MBAYANG DIOP SENTENCED TO DEATH IN SAUDI ARABIA: SENEGALESE CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS FOR CLEMENCY

Imprisoned for over ten years in Saudi Arabia and sentenced to death for the murder of a Saudi national, Mbayang Diop has received renewed support in Senegal. On Saturday, October 10, in Dakar, Horizons sans frontières (HSF), Afrikajom Center, and Jamra called on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to grant her a pardon and urged the victim's family to consider forgiveness.

In a statement read by Antigone Diop, in charge of public relations for the "Call to Order" movement, the organizations clarified that their approach does not call into question Saudi justice, but aims to obtain a measure of clemency.

Addressing the children of the deceased, Antigone Diop acknowledged their pain before inviting them to consider forgiveness. "We are not asking them to forget their mother, we are only asking them, if their hearts allow it, to consider forgiveness," she said.

Alongside Mamadou Diop, brother of the condemned woman, representatives of civil society also highlighted the relations between Dakar and Riyadh to advocate for a favorable outcome.

Moved by this support, Mamadou Diop thanked those who had mobilized, offered further apologies to the victim's family, and expressed his condolences. "We share their grief and pray for the repose of the deceased's soul," he stated, also praising the solidarity of religious leaders.

Penda Mbow calls for increased diplomatic mobilization

Professor Penda Mbow called for expanding efforts to include international bodies, particularly special mechanisms of the United Nations and the African Union. She also urged the Senegalese authorities to mobilize all available diplomatic resources.

"Our authorities must deploy all possible diplomatic resources to save our compatriot," she pleaded.

Civil society intends to continue its advocacy to obtain a pardon for Mbayang Diop.