Saliou Samb, until then president of the Mbour departmental council and general director of the Société des Infrastructures de Réparation Navale (SIRN), was dismissed from his position. The decision was announced in an official press release from the Council of Ministers of January 8, 2024, which specifies the appointment of Babacar Faye to replace him at the head of the SIRN.
This eviction raises all the more questions as Saliou Samb had shown his support for the Pastef party during the legislative elections of November 17, 2024. This strategic choice was obviously not enough to maintain the confidence of the new authorities.
A heavy legal liability
In addition to his dismissal, Saliou Samb remains associated with a resounding legal case opposing him to former Senegalese football international Ferdinand Coly. This dispute, linked to the company “Blue Trade Company” which they had co-founded to exploit and export fishery products, marked the media scene.
Ferdinand Coly accuses Saliou Samb of having defrauded him of 1.2 billion CFA francs. A complaint for misuse of corporate assets and fraudulent bankruptcy led the Mbour high court to sentence Saliou Samb, on April 3, 2023, to two years in prison, including six months. The court also forced him to pay 800 million CFA francs in damages to Coly, while banning him from working in the fish products sector for five years.
This conviction was partially confirmed by the Thiès Court of Appeal on July 29, 2024, which reduced the sentence to one year in prison, including ten months suspended, while lifting the professional ban. The 800 million CFA francs in damages were, however, maintained.
Senegal
