Senegal: Ex-Minister Charged with Covid Fund Embezzlement

Former Senegal Minister Charged with Covid Fund Fraud

A special court in Senegal has formally charged Salimata Diop, a former government minister, with embezzling Covid-19 relief funds. The information was confirmed by sources close to the case.

Details of the Allegations

Salimata Diop, who served as the minister for women under ex-president Macky Sall, is accused of complicity in embezzlement. She was released on bail after paying approximately $97,750. Her parliamentary immunity had been lifted to allow the legal proceedings to continue.

Other Ministers Under Investigation

Diop is not the only one facing scrutiny. The former ministers for community development, mines, industrial development, and justice are also under investigation for alleged misuse of funds intended for pandemic relief efforts.

Specific Accusations

Amadou Mansour Faye, the former minister for community development, is accused of diverting about $4.5 million from a fund established to combat the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021. This accusation stems from a national assembly report.

Political Context

Senegal's national assembly authorized a special court to investigate the five former ministers. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won the election last year promising to combat corruption, especially within the previous administration, has pledged to address these issues. However, the opposition has labeled the investigation as a "witchhunt."