In Senegal, former Minister of Mines Sophie Gladima appeared before the investigative commission of the High Court of Justice on Wednesday, 11 June, as part of ongoing inquiries into alleged mismanagement of the Force Covid-19 relief fund. Gladima, who also serves as mayor of Joal-Fadiouth, is suspected of misappropriating nearly 200 million CFA francs during her tenure, joining four other former ministers under President Macky Sall’s administration who are facing similar accusations.
Her legal counsel, Antoine Mbengue, described the hearing as calm and constructive, stating that Gladima provided “complete and composed” responses to the court. According to Mbengue, the allegations stem from two procurement contracts executed during her time in office. The first involved equipment that was successfully delivered, while the second, more contentious deal, related to the proposed construction of a factory in Kédougou. Though an advance payment was made to secure the project, the site later proved unavailable, and the factory was never built.
Mbengue maintained there was no intent to embezzle public funds, asserting that the money remains traceable and that the service provider has even offered a refund. The defence team is expected to request the lifting of Gladima’s detention order, arguing that the issue amounts to a managerial error rather than criminal misconduct. The commission will now deliberate on whether to dismiss the case or proceed with formal charges before Senegal’s High Court of Justice. Only one former minister, ex-Justice Minister Ismaïla Madior Fall, has yet to testify.