Madiambal Diagne is in the collimator of the new authorities. He was prevented from traveling on Thursday by the police, who reportedly received instructions that he could not “leave the national territory without having deposited a diplomatic passport.” A document that Mr. Diagne says he has never had.
After being prevented from traveling on Thursday, Madiambal Diagne, in a press release, denounced the “vile harassment” he was subjected to. The former boss of Groupe Avenir Communication (Gac) spoke at length about his misadventure on Thursday evening at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass. “On Thursday evening, October 3, 2024, I was to go to Canada, the registration formalities completed, my passport having received the “departure stamp”, I had the unpleasant surprise of learning from the police that they had received instructions that I could not leave the national territory without having deposited a diplomatic passport of which I would be the holder. My astonishment was all the more legitimate since I have never benefited from this type of travel document, » he recounted. Above all, maintained Mr. Diagne who spoke of an « imaginary diplomatic passport », that it « is easy to prove since regularly », during his travels, the documents he presents « are recorded by the airport police services ». And added: « They also noted it, after a search in their data. But did they insisted on applying the instructions received. In the meantime, I tried to contact General Jean-Baptiste Tine, Minister of the Interior, who clearly did not want to answer my calls. »
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In the same vein, he informed that « no written notification » was « formally made to him of this form of ban on leaving the territory ». Madiambal Diagne stated that his lawyers advised him to reschedule his trip and, if necessary, to « have a bailiff assist him for the necessary reports ».
In his statement, Mr. Diagne insisted on the fact that he has « never accepted the proposal » of a diplomatic passport in his name. Moreover, he is keen to clarify: « I have always participated in the official trips of Presidents Abdoulaye Wade and Macky Sall, with my ordinary passport and the visas that the consulates grant me whenever necessary. »
« My closeness to President Macky Sall was never based on commercial calculations »
For Mr. Diagne, « this harassment comes on top of the manifestations of ostracism » of which he has been « the subject since Pastef came to power ». He recalls in this regard, « the accusations of land predation » against him which « have never been proven » giving the example of his « building under construction in Mamelles which is subject to checks too regularly to be innocent ». And the former General Administrator of the Gac warns: « My detractors will end up realizing the obvious: my proximity to President Macky Sall has never been based on commercial calculations. I have never exercised public functions, much less benefited from any contract with the State of Senegal. »
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Anticipating the « bullying and other vexations » that, according to him, will not be lacking « against him for the coming years », he assured that he will not be diverted him from his « usual conduct, that of a man of the world, a republican, a democrat respectful of the universal values of propriety ». And concluded: « To depart from it would betray everything I have always fought for, and could not be justified by my education, nor illustrate my philosophy of life. And this is the legacy that I wish to leave to posterity. »
By Dieynaba KANE / dkane@lequotidien.sn
- Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH