Mabouba Diagne, who serves as the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, has formally lodged a complaint for defamation and the dissemination of false information with the Public Prosecutor at the High Court of Dakar.

The legal filing was officially registered with the prosecutor’s office under the reference number 8815.

Minister’s allegations against media outlets

The minister’s complaint targets several media organizations for publishing content that allegedly linked him to irregularities identified in a Court of Auditors report. This report specifically scrutinized the management of subsidized agricultural equipment. The publications in question reportedly appeared starting Friday, May 15, 2026.

According to the detailed complaint submitted by his legal counsel, Me Khadim Kébé, certain media entities allegedly relayed information from a provisional 2025 Court of Auditors report. This report highlighted anomalies in the administration of the agricultural program, directly associating the minister with the irregularities described.

Minister Diagne asserts that some publications intentionally created confusion by featuring his image alongside articles or by suggesting his personal involvement in the events discussed.

Mabouba Diagne’s defense

Mabouba Diagne firmly states that these publications lack any verifiable evidence to establish his involvement in any financial misconduct. He further clarifies that the agreements concerning subsidized agricultural equipment with the Agricultural Bank were finalized prior to his assumption of office.

He emphasizes that the provisional Court of Auditors report does not explicitly name him as being responsible for or complicit in financial irregularities.

Believing his reputation has been harmed, the minister has decided to pursue legal action against the authors of these publications and all involved parties, citing Articles 255 and 258 of the Penal Code, which pertain to defamation and the dissemination of false news.