The fate of Mbayang Diop mobilizes civil society October 12, 2026

Under the leadership of Horizons sans Frontières, Afrikajom Center and the Islamic NGO Jamra, Senegalese civil society is renewing its call for a royal pardon launched in favor of Mbayang Diop, sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia. Facing the press on Saturday October 10, 2026, in Dakar, these organizations called for clemency from the Saudi authorities and the victim’s family.

After more than ten years of detention and a death sentence in Saudi Arabia for having committed a murder on a Saudi woman, the fate of Mbayang Diop once again mobilized civil society over the weekend. At a press conference on Saturday October 10 in Dakar, civil society organizations, including Horizons sans Frontières (HSF), Afrikajom Center and the Islamic NGO Jamra, launched an appeal for clemency to the Saudi authorities and the victim’s family. In their introductory statement, read by Antigone Diop, in charge of public relations for the “Call to order” movement, these organizations clarified that they contest neither the decision of the Saudi justice nor the seriousness of the facts.

“We have not gathered to challenge a court decision, to re-trial or to question the judicial sovereignty of the kingdom,” she said, indicating that they are seeking forgiveness from the family and clemency from the Saudi Kingdom. “To the children of the victim, we ask in all humility to reconsider the situation of this woman who, for many years, has lived with the weight of a capital sentence. We are not asking them to forget their mother, we are only asking them, if their hearts allow it, to consider forgiveness,” added Antigone Diop, calling on King Salman Ben Abdelaziz Al Saud to grant pardon to Mbayang Diop.

Alongside Mbayang Diop’s brother, Mamadou Diop, civil society called on Saudi Arabia to take into account the friendly relations between the Senegalese and Saudi people to save the life of the Senegalese woman. Strongly moved by this support, Mbayang Diop’s brother expressed his gratitude to the Senegalese mobilized since the start of the affair. He renewed his apologies to the victim’s family and requested clemency from the Saudi authorities. “We share their pain and pray for the rest of the soul of the deceased,” he said, thanking the religious guides for their solidarity.

Professor Penda Mbow insisted on the urgency of diplomatic and international mobilization. According to her, the ten years of detention are already a heavy ordeal. This is why she called on civil society leaders to refer to the special mechanisms of the United Nations and to challenge the African Union. “Our authorities must deploy all possible diplomatic resources to save our compatriot,” she pleaded.

Souleymane WANE