In a surprising turn of events, Yaya Abdoul Kane, former Director General of the Senegalese State-Owned Property Management Company (SOGEPA), has retracted his previous accusations against Serigne Bassirou Guèye regarding the acquisition of a villa at Point E. According to sources close to the matter, Kane now asserts that Guèye, a former Dakar prosecutor, committed no wrongdoing in obtaining the lease.
This sudden change of heart comes after Kane's explosive testimony before a parliamentary inquiry committee investigating state-owned property. Initially, Kane had made public accusations against Guèye, but later reached out to him privately to express regret and reassure him that he had done nothing wrong. Sources indicate that Kane took the initiative to contact Guèye following his public statements, advising him not to react hastily to the allegations.
According to insiders, Kane reportedly told Guèye that the lease on his villa was acquired lawfully and in accordance with existing procedures. Furthermore, Kane allegedly pointed out that other high-ranking officials had received similar leases under comparable circumstances, suggesting that Guèye was being unfairly targeted. This new information contradicts Kane's earlier testimony before the parliamentary committee.
In an interview with L'Observateur, Kane confirmed that Guèye's lease was indeed legitimate, citing a 2013 decree that authorized SOGEPA to grant leases. He emphasized that Guèye's case was more lawful than that of certain other officials who had received leases, known as "baux de Fayçal," which were signed but not approved.
Kane also clarified that there had been confusion regarding the number of properties attributed to Guèye. He insisted that he had only ever referred to a single villa at Point E, not two houses as might have been suggested. This clarification appears to mitigate the controversy surrounding Guèye's acquisition of the villa.
The reversal by Kane has significant implications for the ongoing investigation into state property dealings. It suggests that the issue may have been more complex than initially thought, with various officials potentially involved in similar transactions. The parliamentary committee's inquiry is expected to continue, with Kane's revised testimony likely to feature prominently.
As the situation unfolds, public attention remains focused on the integrity of Senegal's public officials and the management of state assets. The case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in property transactions involving government officials. With Kane's changed stance, the spotlight now shifts to other officials implicated in similar deals.
Key points
- Yaya Abdoul Kane retracts accusations against Serigne Bassirou Guèye, citing legality of villa acquisition.
- Kane attributes Guèye's targeting to possible envy over comparable lease deals granted to other officials.
- The controversy underscores the need for transparency in Senegalese state property transactions.
