Senegal charges fifth ex-minister in corruption crackdown
A former Senegalese minister has been charged with corruption, becoming the fifth top official from the previous government to face prosecution in a growing anti-corruption push.
Amadou Mansour Faye, who served as minister for community development, and social and territorial equity, is accused of misusing more than $4.6 million in public funds.
The charges are based on findings from a parliamentary investigation.
The brother-in-law of former President Macky Sall has been denied bail and will remain in custody, his lawyer confirmed.
“We made an offer of bail, but it was not accepted,” he said. “We made serious objections, which were also rejected,” the lawyer was quoted by Senenews.
Faye is one of several former ministers now facing legal action as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye steps up efforts to address corruption in government.
Prior to this, four other former ministers were questioned by the courts: Moustapha Diop, who was arrested over allegations he diverted $4 million from Senegal’s Covid-19 relief programme and Aïssatou Sophie Gladima, who was placed in custody over accusations of mismanaging more than $300,000 meant to support miners during the pandemic.
The others are Ndeye Saly Diop Dieng, who was released on bail, and Ismaïla Madior Fall, who has been placed under electronic monitoring.
The High Court of Justice, which deals with cases involving government officials, is overseeing the investigations.
President Faye, elected earlier this year, has made fighting corruption one of his top priorities. He has promised to rebuild trust in state institutions and ensure that public funds are used properly.
