change of storyline for a series based on a resounding alleged rape case

A Senegalese screenwriter and producer of series who planned to draw inspiration from a resounding case of alleged rape accusations against the main opponent of the country have decided to suspend their project, time to review their copy, said Monday (April 19). the national audiovisual gendarme.

The series, which was due to begin airing soon, was originally to be called Thiey Adji Sarr, taking in its title the name of the young masseuse who accused of rape and death threats the deputy Ousmane Sonko, one of the main rivals of President Macky Sall.

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The detention for five days in early March of Mr. Sonko, who claims his innocence and denounces a plot, triggered the worst unrest that has long known this country known to be a rare island of stability in West Africa.

The controversy between the unconditional support of Ousmane Sonko and those who praise the courage of the young woman was relaunched with the broadcast in early April of a trailer that “Presents Adji Sarr as a prostitute”, denounced in the press his lawyer, El Hadji Diouf.

“The troublemaker woman”

“I find it cruel, inhuman and shameful. We are not going to let them dirty the image of Adji Sarr for who knows what cause. We are trying to demonize it, to discredit it ”, added the lawyer, who seized the National Council of Audiovisual Regulation (CNRA) and filed a lawsuit to demand the withdrawal of the series.

The promoters of the series, including screenwriter and actor Aziz Niane, spoke of a work of fiction and denied having been inspired by a “Story that occurred in Senegal”. They also announced a change in the title, proposing instead Baline Coumba, which can be translated as “The troublemaker woman” in Wolof language.

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Finally, “The producer and the screenwriter have decided to stop the series for a rewrite”, CNRA president Babacar Diagne told AFP on Monday. Mr. Sonko, 46, was charged on March 8 with rape and death threats and placed under judicial supervision after five days in police custody.

The riots and looting of department stores caused by this affair in early March left between 10 and 13 dead, according to the government, and at least 13 killed and hundreds injured, according to the opposition.

The World with AFP