Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock Mabouba Diagne has taken legal action by filing a defamation complaint against multiple media organizations. The lawsuit alleges these outlets disseminated false claims linking him to financial irregularities in a Court of Auditors report regarding subsidized agricultural equipment.
Case details and legal allegations
The complaint, registered under case number 8815 at the Dakar prosecutor’s office, accuses certain media outlets of publishing articles on 15 May 2026 that falsely implicated the minister in mismanagement. According to the legal team led by attorney Khadim Kébé, some publications allegedly misrepresented a 2025 provisional audit report by the Court of Auditors, suggesting Diagne’s direct involvement in financial discrepancies.
The minister’s legal representatives argue that these reports deliberately misled the public by associating his image with the allegations or implying personal responsibility, despite no evidence supporting such claims.
Minister denies wrongdoing
In response to the accusations, Mabouba Diagne has vehemently denied any involvement in financial misconduct. He clarified that the agricultural subsidy agreements with the Agricultural Bank were finalized prior to his appointment, absolving him of any responsibility for the reported irregularities.
He further emphasized that the audit report in question does not name him as a participant or collaborator in any financial improprieties. Stressing the reputational damage incurred, Diagne has pursued legal recourse under Articles 255 and 258 of the Penal Code, which address defamation and the spread of false information.