The Tambacounda High Court was the scene of a high-tension trial this Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Lassana Kanté, regional coordinator of Taxawu Senegal, appeared to answer several charges: "insulting a person exercising part of the prerogatives of the head of state" (targeting Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko), "speech contrary to good morals" and "spreading false news".

The hearing, which began around 11 a.m., was held in front of a large audience, notably including Khalifa Sall and supporters of former Prime Minister Sidiki Kaba.

From the outset, the defense—comprised of lawyers Ababacar Kamara, Amadou Lady Ba, Ndeye Fatou Sarr, and El Mamadou Ndiaye—raised procedural objections. Invoking Article 166 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and UEMOA Regulation 5, the lawyers denounced a procedural flaw: although arrested on January 15, the charges were allegedly only brought against the defendant on January 17, before his custody was extended until the 19th. Despite these arguments, Prosecutor Aliou Dia rejected these objections, and the court decided to consolidate them with the merits of the case.

The prosecutor requested a one-year prison sentence, with six months to be served, for the politician. He also demanded the mandatory removal of all incriminating Facebook posts, at the defendant's expense.

Lassana Kanté's lawyers vigorously contested the prosecution's analysis, asserting that the intent to offend or spread false news had never been proven. Urging the judges not to turn the hearing into a "political opinion tribunal," the defense requested the defendant's outright acquittal, or, failing that, an extremely lenient application of the law.

The court has taken the case under advisement. The verdict is expected on Wednesday, February 4th.