Following surgery, the national coordinator for political victims, Djiby Mbaye, sent a message of thanks and a warning to the activists and supporters of Pastef / Les Patriotes.

He highlights the precariousness of healthcare, the financial burden borne by patients, and calls on the authorities to accelerate legal, medical, and social assistance for the hundreds of identified victims.

“During our ordeal of police custody, detention, and even our release from prison, we endured torture, infections, and overcrowding, which exposed us to all sorts of vulnerabilities, some of which are very dangerous because they lie dormant in our bodies and can awaken at any moment. And yet, it’s been almost two years,” denounced Djiby Mbaye. Here is the full text of his statement.

Dear activists and supporters of Pastef Les Patriotes,

Throughout my surgery and recovery, your prayers, support, and assistance were with me. I wanted to thank you: my family, my family of victims, and my patriotic family.

My illness was so complex that it required close monitoring by four professors and numerous doctors. In hospitals where everything is lacking, the healthcare staff remains dedicated, but they are glaringly understaffed—a situation that must be addressed. Sometimes a nurse is left with 40 patients to manage, which is a significant risk factor. Added to this are the enormous expenses borne by the patient.

During our ordeals of police custody, detention orders, and our release from prison, we endured torture, infections, and overcrowding, which exposed us to all sorts of vulnerabilities, some of which are very dangerous because they lie dormant in our bodies and can awaken at any moment. And yet, it's been almost two years.

I received assistance from the Ministry of Solidarity, but the administrative procedures require me to plan expenses in advance so as not to miss my appointments. That said, a sick person who is unable to plan ahead for their bills is very vulnerable.

That is why, as national coordinator of political victims within the multi-sectoral committee in charge of legal, medical and reintegration cases, I call on all the rulers of this regime - President, Prime Minister, ministers, Directors General, deputies, mayors - to take up the case of the victims in their respective fields and to deal with it more quickly.

It's possible if everyone does their part, and it will relieve our leader Ousmane Sonko because this is a complex matter. While the legal aspects remain complicated, psychosocial support is entirely within reach.

To date, there are:

929 victims seeking funding

204 sick victims to treat

124 victims of vocational training

274 victims with diplomas to be reintegrated

77 martyrs whose parents and heirs are in need of assistance

For a state, this is not insurmountable.

However, my fellow victims, despite this urgent plea, let us never abandon the cause for which we fought. This project is ours. We are the shields.

Together with Pastef Les Patriotes, we will achieve our short- and long-term goals to definitively put Senegal on the path to development. Your prayers are with us!

Djiby Mbaye,

National Coordinator for Political Victims