The crisis at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar has taken a new legal turn. The UCAD Student Associations Collective announced on Tuesday its intention to file a complaint against Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko , whom it holds responsible for the death of student Abdoulaye Ba , who died during a police intervention on the campus last week.

A shocking death

Violence erupted on February 9, 2026 , during a police operation on the university's student residence campus. Abdoulaye Ba, a second-year medical student, succumbed to his injuries in circumstances that have sparked outrage. According to the student collective, the young man was not participating in any demonstrations at the time of the police intervention and was in his dorm room when officers entered the campus. The students claim that the police used excessive force , which they allege led to Abdoulaye Ba's death.

A complaint for "political and moral responsibility"

In a statement released Tuesday, the Collective of Student Associations announced its intention to sue Ousmane Sonko , accusing him of responsibility for the events leading to the tragedy. The lawsuit also targets remarks deemed defamatory made by the Prime Minister during recent public statements, in which he claimed that some student leaders were being manipulated by political actors. The students believe these statements undermine the truth and seek to delegitimize the student movement .

A tense social climate

The death of Abdoulaye Ba has deeply shaken the country and reignited existing tensions between the authorities and students. The university has been declared a "dead university" by the student collective, and several human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation to determine responsibility for his death.

Furthermore, the Academic Council of UCAD has decided to suspend student associations until further notice , in response to the escalating situation and to allow for the establishment of a framework for calm dialogue.

Towards a legal response?

The Collective of Associations announced that the complaint will not be limited to a simple defamation action, but could also include proceedings before national and international courts if necessary, in order to establish the truth about the circumstances surrounding the student's death and the responsibility of the authorities.



The situation remains extremely fragile, with a climate of growing mistrust between students and the government. This case, which combines social, political, and human rights issues, promises to weigh heavily in public debates in Senegal in the coming weeks.