Official Inquiry Confirms Natural Causes in Malian Journalist’s Death in Rabat
Rabat, Morocco – Amidst a flurry of online speculation and disinformation surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Attorney General at the Rabat Court of Appeal has definitively dismissed claims of foul play in the death of Malian freelance journalist, Sumare Mohamed Cheick Tidiane. An exhaustive investigation has concluded that Tidiane, found at his Rabat residence on January 14, died of natural causes, specifically a pulmonary embolism linked to high blood pressure.
Dispelling Online Rumors and Disinformation
The announcement directly addresses and refutes various allegations circulating online, which suggested that Tidiane’s death was suspicious or potentially connected to his support for an Arab team during the ongoing AFCON tournament. The official statement from the Attorney General’s office leaves no room for doubt, emphasizing the thoroughness of the judicial inquiry.
Autopsy Reveals No Signs of Violence
According to the detailed findings, an autopsy performed on Sumare Mohamed Cheick Tidiane’s body revealed no signs of violence, further corroborating the conclusion of death by natural causes. This critical piece of evidence directly counters any theories of external intervention or foul play.
Timeline of Events and Investigation Details
The incident began on January 14 when a private medical team alerted police to the journalist’s death at his residence. Following this notification, the public prosecutor immediately ordered a judicial investigation. Members of the judicial police, accompanied by scientific and technical police services, promptly arrived at Tidiane’s apartment in Rabat.
Upon their arrival, authorities found the Malian consul present, alongside one of the deceased’s friends. This friend, also a Malian journalist who had traveled to cover AFCON, provided crucial testimony. He recounted receiving a text message from Tidiane, alerting him to the severe deterioration of his health. Discovering the apartment door locked from the inside, the friend promptly called for an ambulance.
Paramedics, upon arrival, were compelled to force open the apartment door, where they subsequently discovered Sumare Mohamed Cheick Tidiane’s body in the bedroom. Investigators confirmed that all of the journalist’s personal belongings were found undisturbed near his body, ruling out theft or struggle.
Combating a Wave of Fake News
This clarification comes at a time when Moroccan authorities have been actively combating a surge of misinformation and fake news, particularly in the context of major events like AFCON. Recent instances include police denials of alleged deaths of a Senegalese supporter and a Moroccan stadium staff member, underscoring the importance of official, verified information in a highly charged digital landscape.
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