🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Ndèye Aminata Loum Ndiaye released in Covid-19 Funds case after Court of Appeal decision
via SeneNews4 min read
Ndèye Aminata Loum Ndiaye, former Director of General Administration and Equipment DAGE at the Ministry of Industrial Development and SMEs, has been released from detention. She was initially placed under a committal order in April 2025 in connection with the Force Covid-19 Funds case. The Indictment Chamber of the Dakar Court of Appeal confirmed the investigating judge's order granting her provisional release. This development follows the public prosecutor's decision not to appeal the provisional release, making her release effective. This judicial evolution comes after the Senegal Court of Accounts acquitted her on March 8. Following that acquittal, her lawyers, Mes Abou Allassane Diallo, Seyni Dione, and Ousmane Yade, filed a request for provisional release. The investigating judge of the second chamber of the Dakar court granted this request, placing her under judicial supervision. The prosecution had contested this decision and filed an appeal.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
The President of the Republic of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, made a friendship and working visit to Senegal this morning, signaling a new phase in strengthening relations between Dakar and Cotonou. This visit occurs amid growing economic, security, and political challenges in West Africa. The Beninese head of state was welcomed by his Senegalese counterpart, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, around 10 AM at Léopold Sédar Senghor military airport in Dakar. Following official greetings, the two leaders immediately held a private meeting in the VIP lounge, described as cordial and constructive. Discussions focused on strategic issues, including strengthening bilateral relations, economic and financial cooperation, and security challenges in West Africa. The two heads of state also discussed prospects for more dynamic sub-regional integration, based on increased trade and better coordination of economic policies. Discussions continued at the Palace of the Republic, where both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to consolidating the Dakar–Cotonou axis. This initiative is part of a shared ambition to enhance cooperation between the two countries and give new impetus to economic and diplomatic relations in the sub-region. At the end of the visit, the two presidents showed a convergence of views on the need to transform bilateral relations into a more structured partnership focused on concrete results for the benefit of their populations.
Must ReadZahabia Gupta, head of emerging markets credit risk research at Standard & Poor's Global Ratings, has warned about the potential consequences if Senegal fails to secure a program with the International Monetary Fund. She highlighted that the country is facing increasing financial market pressure and a continuous degradation of its sovereign rating. Gupta stated that without an IMF program, questions about Senegal's long-term financing sustainability could intensify, especially given its significant financing needs. This alert follows S&P's decision in late March to lower Senegal's local currency credit rating from B-/B to CCC+/C, maintaining a negative outlook, citing high public debt refinancing risks and a lack of significant multilateral support. An IMF agreement is seen as crucial to restoring market confidence, potentially providing access to more favorable concessional financing and strengthening budgetary credibility. An IMF mission is expected in Dakar during the week of June 15, 2026, for technical discussions to assess macroeconomic prospects, financing needs, and reform priorities, according to Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF's Communications Department. These discussions are strategically important as they could influence the perception of Senegalese risk in international markets and determine the country's future access to essential financial resources for development.
Alioune Tine, founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank, believes there is no rift between Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, but rather a "lack of understanding." Tine expressed reservations about Sonko's decision to lead the National Assembly, viewing it as a strategic error given Sonko's presidential ambitions. He stated that if he were close to Sonko, he would have advised against taking the position, suggesting Sonko should have instead focused on managing his party and preparing for the 2029 elections. Tine argues that the presidency of the National Assembly offers no significant political added value for the former Prime Minister, as Sonko already had sufficient influence over the parliamentary majority. He added that Sonko did not need to be the President of the National Assembly for parliamentarians to follow his directives. Tine also regretted the replacement of El Malick Ndiaye as head of the parliamentary institution, stating that Ndiaye had performed well in the role. Tine suggests Sonko would benefit more from strengthening his political party than occupying an institutional role with limited scope.