03:52Senegal: Mass protest in Dakar condemns COVID-19 relief funds misuse
Hundreds of Senegalese held a rally in Dakar on Friday to protest against the 'mismanagement' of COVID-19 funds by the government.
Footage features protesters as well as people from Senegal's main opposition coalition Yewii Askan Wi gathering together, waving flags, holding scarf of Senegal, holding placards reading 'Free Pape Ale Niang' and Senegal needs a breath of fresh air'. Protesters could also be seen demanding the release of the Senegalese journalist Pope Ale Niang.
"We were hit, we were closed, we were scared just to steal from us and this is what is really unfortunate," said Mamadou Ndao, a Senegalese activist after a report by a public spending watchdog revealed alleged misuse of the relief funds.
Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, set up the fund, which was reportedly financed by the state and lenders, to strengthen the West African nation's ailing health system during the crisis.
According to the audit of 2020-2021, it has been implied that different ministries used around $30 million for matters unrelated to COVID-19, out of a total of more than $1.1 billion. While the government has stressed that the issues raised in the report concern less than one percent of the total amount of the funds, it promised to follow the watchdog's recommendations.
03:52Hundreds of Senegalese held a rally in Dakar on Friday to protest against the 'mismanagement' of COVID-19 funds by the government.
Footage features protesters as well as people from Senegal's main opposition coalition Yewii Askan Wi gathering together, waving flags, holding scarf of Senegal, holding placards reading 'Free Pape Ale Niang' and Senegal needs a breath of fresh air'. Protesters could also be seen demanding the release of the Senegalese journalist Pope Ale Niang.
"We were hit, we were closed, we were scared just to steal from us and this is what is really unfortunate," said Mamadou Ndao, a Senegalese activist after a report by a public spending watchdog revealed alleged misuse of the relief funds.
Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, set up the fund, which was reportedly financed by the state and lenders, to strengthen the West African nation's ailing health system during the crisis.
According to the audit of 2020-2021, it has been implied that different ministries used around $30 million for matters unrelated to COVID-19, out of a total of more than $1.1 billion. While the government has stressed that the issues raised in the report concern less than one percent of the total amount of the funds, it promised to follow the watchdog's recommendations.