By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DAKAR, Senegal – On Wednesday, July 27, Senegal’s police released the popular rapper Omar Toure from custody after they questioned him for criticizing President Abdoulaye Wade at a rally on Saturday. The police arrested Toure, known as Thiat, around 5 P.M. on Monday because he objected to Wade’s bid for a third term. Toure was not officially charged before being released. The Media Foundation of West Africa (“MFWA”) reported that police released Toure on the conditionthat he would remain in the jurisdiction.

Fadel Barro, coordinator of the Fed-Up Movement, reported Toure’s arrest. Toure is one of the leaders of Fed-Up, a collection of rappers founded last January. This movement has emerged as a symbol of protest against social ills, corruption, and power cuts in Wade’s regime.

Wade’s opposition suggests Toure’s arrest reflects a “growing intimidation ahead of the polls.” His opposition believes Wade has become a dictator during his eleven-year tenure, citing Wade’s high-handed measures to limit citizens’ freedom of expression against the government.

Toure has played a fundamental role in organizing the youth vote. In January, he assisted in launching the Enough is Enough movement, which encourages the youth to register to vote and cease political apathy. When the police arrested Toure, dozens of youth gathered in Darkur, Senegal’s capital, to protest his detention.

Wade’s opposition and other civil society organizations sponsored the “June 23 Movement”, a rally opposed to Wade’s pursuit of a third-term in the 2012 election despite a government ban on public demonstrations in Dakar issued the previous week.  At the rally at Obélisque Square in Dakar, Toure said “An old person of 90 years, who tells lies, does not deserve to lead the country.”

Last month when Wade introduced the constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek a third term, riots erupted throughout the country. Senegal elected Wade in 2000 and reelected him in 2007. Wade’s official age is 85, but many Senegalese citizens believe he is even older.

In February, Toure stated “It’s too bad, but the Wade regime is one of the worst we’ve ever seen…It’s one of the most criminal regimes in the world.” Toure advocates for a president that fuses the politics of Hugo Chavez with the youth of Gambian President Yaya Jammeh.

Toure’s slogan emphasizes his push to increase electoral participation; “You’re not a citizen if you don’t have a voting card.”

For further information, please see:

BBC – Senegal police free anit-Wade rapper Toure aka Thiat – 27 July 2011

Senegambia News – Senegal ALERT: Musician arrested for criticising President Wade – 27 July 2011

Mail and Guardian – Senegal cops hold ‘Fed Up’ leader on mystery rap – 26 July 2011

New York Times – Protest after Senegal Arrests Activist Rapper – 26 July 2011