In Senegal, former ministers from the administration of President Macky Sall are under investigation for their involvement in the alleged embezzlement of public funds linked to the Covid-19 relief fund. The prosecutor general at the Dakar Court of Appeal announced last Thursday that the files of five individuals, including former Ministers Moustapha Diop and Mansour Faye, have been sent to the National Assembly for further review. This move marks the beginning of what could be an impeachment process, with Diop and Faye reportedly set to be the first ministers to face potential prosecution.
The allegations against the two former ministers involve the misuse of public funds intended for Covid-19 relief efforts. Investigations have raised concerns about irregular disbursements, fake contracts, and payments for services that were allegedly never performed. The National Assembly will now determine the next steps, which could pave the way for an investigation by the High Court of Justice.
According to sources, the legal process will follow a strict protocol. First, the Bureau of the Assembly must be convened, followed by a meeting of the Conference of Presidents. The Law Committee will then review the matter before it proceeds to a plenary session where members of the National Assembly will vote on whether to allow a formal investigation into the actions of the ministers. This vote will determine whether the case proceeds to the High Court of Justice for further legal action.
Mansour Faye, who served as the Minister of Community Development, strongly rejected the allegations against him, calling the claims politically motivated. He vehemently denied any fraudulent activity concerning the Covid-19 fund and has vowed to clear his name. Despite his denial, the focus remains on the management of public funds during the pandemic, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder across the country.
Moustapha Diop, the former Minister of Industrial Development, is also facing scrutiny over his role in the fund’s administration. The accusations against both men highlight a broader issue regarding the allocation of resources during the health crisis, with critics questioning how such irregularities could have occurred at such high levels of government.
The next phase of the investigation will be crucial in determining the scope of the alleged financial misconduct and whether the two former ministers will be formally charged. Their potential prosecution would not only be a significant development in the case but also serve as a critical moment for the Senegalese government in demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
As the legal process unfolds, the spotlight will be on the actions of Senegal’s political leadership and their handling of the Covid-19 relief fund, with hopes that this investigation will lead to greater clarity on how the funds were allocated and whether they were misused for personal gain. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for accountability in Senegal’s political system.