Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Senegal’s Minister of Finance and Budget, Cheikh Diba, is at the center of a growing controversy after allegations surfaced linking a cabinet minister to an 8-billion-CFA corruption scandal involving a Dakar-based bank and a businessman. The claims, initially reported by Walfadjri journalist Pape Sané, have triggered a storm on social media, with many pointing fingers at Diba.

During a plenary session at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Diba defended himself in a heated speech, declaring, “I will not accept that the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister uphold more values than me. They can have all the values of the world, but I will not accept that they uphold more than me. For me, it’s a matter of dignity.”

His comments, however, have only intensified speculation, as some interpret them as an attempt to distance himself from the scandal while others see them as a defiant stance against perceived political isolation.

The allegations stem from claims that Banque Nationale pour le Développement Économique (BNDE), a state-owned bank, facilitated a dubious loan worth 8 billion CFA francs to a businessman with alleged ties to a high-ranking government official. Adding to the complexity, sources suggest that the Minister of Commerce is also implicated in the same financial dealings with BNDE. However, no significant action has been taken in that regard.

Journalist Pape Sané, who reported on the case, was summoned on Monday by police investigators and has since provided documentary evidence to support his claims. However, he has refused to reveal his sources.

The situation has raised broader concerns about the integrity of the new Senegalese government, with critics questioning whether this is an isolated case or part of a deeper network of corruption. The public prosecutor has reportedly taken up the matter, signaling potential legal consequences for those involved.

Meanwhile, Diba’s perceived lack of support from his cabinet colleagues has fueled speculation that he might be a scapegoat in a larger political maneuver. Some believe that he is the target of a deliberate effort to force him out of government, especially given the silence of key figures within the administration.

As public scrutiny and investigations continue, the controversy surrounding Diba’s alleged involvement remains a defining moment for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s cabinet, testing its credibility and commitment to transparency. Whether Diba survives this political storm or becomes a casualty of mounting public outrage remains to be seen.