Revolutionary philosopher Omar Blondin Diop’s tragic death on May 11, 1973, at Gorée prison remains unresolved 50 years later. According to the government’s version, he committed suicide in his cell. We, Senegalese, Africans, justice-seeking citizens of the world, alongside Omar’s family, friends and comrades, DEMAND Truth and Justice for Omar Blondin Diop. ROAPE encourages our readers to sign this important call for justice.
On June 6, 1973, Omar’s father, the late Dr. Ibrahima Blondin Diop, filed a lawsuit for “intentional assault causing death without intent” and “non-assistance to a person in danger” which resulted in an order of incompetence by the Correctional Court of Dakar on June 12, 1975. Read more, here, for a detailed account of the state cover up.
Today, new elements reinforce this demand for truth and the need to reopen the case.
Firstly, the recent appearance of the late judge Moustapha Touré in the documentary film Omar Blondin Diop, A Rebel by Djeydi Djigo, who, after an on-site reconstruction, confirms his firm conviction that it was materially impossible for Blondin Diop to commit such a suicide.
Then, the exclusive testimony of Jean-Pierre Biondi, former audiovisual adviser in the cabinet of President Léopold Sédar Senghor, in the podcast series “Omar Blondin Diop, rather death than slavery”, produced by Clémentine Méténier and Florence Morice for Radio France Internationale, who describes the official version of Blondin Diop’s death as a “state lie”. He also reveals that Senghor’s closest associates all knew that the revolutionary philosopher had died at the hands of his prison guards.
We, Senegalese, Africans, justice-seeking citizens of the world, alongside Omar’s family, friends and comrades, DEMAND Truth and Justice for Omar Blondin Diop.
50 years on, we still firmly believe in the African proverb: “However long the night, the sun always rises in the end.”
Add your name to our growing list here. Have already signed:
Boubacar Boris Diop, author (Senegal);
Aminata Dramane Traoré, former minister of culture/tourism, essayist (Mali);
Youssou Ndour, musician (Senegal);
Antoine Gallimard, editor (France);
Pierre Sané, former Amnesty International general secretary (Senegal);
Bailo Teliwel Diallo, former minister of culture (Guinea);
Felwine Sarr, academic, writer (Senegal);
Amy Niang, political scientist (Senegal);
Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, former Prime minister (Central African Republic);
Ndongo Samba Sylla, economist (Senegal);
Fatoumata Seck, literature professor (Senegal/USA);
Amzat Boukari-Yabara, historian (Benin/Martinique);
Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, novelist (Sénégal).
The Omar Blondin Diop Foundation was founded by the late revolutionary philosopher’s family and comrades following his 50th death anniversary, commemorated in Dakar in May 2023. For any queries, please contact: info@omarblondindiop.com
