Senegal’s parliament on Friday referred former Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam to the High Court of Justice over allegations of embezzling millions in public funds, marking the latest legal action against members of ex-president Macky Sall’s administration.
Since unseating Sall in March 2024, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko have accused former officials of mismanaging public resources, pledging to hold them accountable. At least five former ministers have already been referred to the High Court of Justice, which has exclusive authority to try former government members for crimes committed while in office.
The parliamentary report alleges that Thiam’s handling of a contract for a digital technology park showed
“serious indications and presumptions of a nature to justify criminal proceedings … for criminal conspiracy, embezzlement of public funds to the tune of 1,476,482,766 CFA francs ($2.7 million) and money laundering.”
Thiam responded on social media, calling the referral “without legal basis” and affirming his intention to contest the matter in court. Following the referral, the High Court of Justice’s investigating committee will determine whether to proceed with a trial. Notably, the tribunal’s rulings are final and cannot be appealed or reviewed.
The move reflects Senegal’s ongoing effort under Faye and Sonko to address alleged corruption within previous administrations, signaling a continued focus on transparency and accountability in public office.
