Former Senegalese Minister Mansour Faye Released Under Judicial Supervision

Release and Judicial Supervision

Dakar, Senegal – Former Senegalese Minister Mansour Faye was released on September 25, 2025, after several months of provisional detention. His release comes with strict judicial supervision, a decision made in connection with the ongoing investigation into the management of COVID-19 funds. Faye, who previously served as Minister of Community Development, Social and Territorial Equity, had been held since May 26, 2025, marking approximately four months in custody.

Allegations of Financial Misconduct

The case against Mansour Faye centers on alleged irregularities in the procurement of rice for food aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors accuse him of involvement in an overbilling scheme estimated at 2.749 billion CFA francs. The charges include a range of financial crimes:

• Diversion of public funds
• Corruption
• Money laundering
• Illegal taking of interest
• Forgery and use of forged documents
• Criminal association

These accusations stem from an audit report that highlighted significant discrepancies in the expenditure of the 'Force COVID-19 funds'.

Conditions of Release and Political Context

Under the terms of his judicial supervision, Mansour Faye is subject to several obligations. These include a prohibition from leaving Senegalese territory without prior judicial authorization and the requirement to report regularly to the presiding judge. Faye, who is also the current mayor of Saint-Louis and the brother-in-law of former President Macky Sall, has consistently denied the allegations. His legal team has argued that the proceedings are politically motivated and that their client was not properly heard before his indictment.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Prior to his release, Mansour Faye appeared before the High Court of Justice on September 15, 2025, where he was questioned regarding the COVID-19 funds and the rice acquisition process. The National Assembly had previously voted to refer him and other former ministers to this special jurisdiction for acts committed during their tenure. Despite his release, the legal proceedings are ongoing, and the investigation into the alleged financial misconduct continues.