By: The Fatu Network News Desk
Three former ministers under ex-president Macky Sall have been summoned in connection with a controversial settlement between Senegal and ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company.
According to L’Observateur, former Mines Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye was the first to face the investigating judge over a $140 million (over 78 billion CFA francs) payment made to the company, a figure that grew from an initial agreement of 37.5 billion CFA francs.
Ex-Budget Minister Birima Mangara and former Finance and Economy Minister Amadou Bâ are also expected to explain their role in authorising the funds. The probe, triggered by a complaint from the State’s legal agent under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is examining possible offences including corruption, fraud, money laundering and complicity.
At the heart of the case are the “Sentence” and “Transaction” documents first raised in 2015, which may reveal controversial commitments made under both Abdoulaye Wade and Macky Sall. L’Observateur adds that several ArcelorMittal subsidiaries are also cited in the case, though their representatives have not yet been questioned.
