Senegal: parliament refers former minister to court over embezzlement claims
Senegal's parliamentary actions on former government officials
Senegal's parliamentary actions on former government officials
On Fri, Mar 2024, Senegal's parliament referred a former minister to a special court for alleged embezzlement of public funds. This marks a continuation of actions initiated by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who have accused former members of ex-president Macky Sall's administration of financial mismanagement.
Since the change in administration, five former ministers from Sall's government have been referred to the High Court of Justice. This court is tasked with prosecuting former government officials for crimes committed while in office.
Senegal's parliamentary actions on former government officials On Fri, Mar 2024, Senegal's parliament referred a former minister to a special court for alleged embezzlement of public funds.
On the same day, the National Assembly, largely controlled by the ruling Pastef party, voted to refer Moussa Bocar Thiam, former communications and digital affairs minister, to the court. The referral concerns a contract for a digital technology park. A parliamentary report cited "serious indications and presumptions" warranting criminal proceedings against Thiam for charges including criminal conspiracy, embezzlement of 1,476,482,766 CFA francs ($2.7 million), and money laundering.
Moussa Bocar Thiam has publicly denied the allegations, describing the process as lacking legal basis and indicating his intent to contest the charges in court. Following a hearing, the High Court of Justice's investigating committee will determine whether Thiam will face trial.
The tribunal's decisions are final and cannot be appealed or reviewed.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
