SENEGAL’S President Macky Sall condemned a violent knife attack on a prominent female journalist and director of a private television station.
Maimouna Ndour Faye, who presents a political programme for 7TV television channel, was attacked and stabbed several times near her home in the early hours of Friday by an unknown assailant, the channel said in a statement.
Faye was hospitalised and her condition is stable, it said.
The attack comes amid heightened political tension in the West African nation over the postponement of a presidential election that was scheduled for February 25.
It was unclear if the attack was politically motivated, officials said.
The attack has been condemned by Senegal’s prominent figures, including the prime minister, and candidates in the presidential race.
“I strongly condemn this cowardly and inexcusable act of violence against journalist Maimouna Ndour Faye. Freedom of the press is a fundamental right that must be protected and respected in all circumstances,” Sall said in a post on X.
In the run-up to Senegal’s parliamentary elections in 2022, there was an increase in arrests and violence against media professionals in Senegal including an escalation in verbal and physical threats, according to watchdog Reporters Without Borders.
