# Senegal state property lease and eviction dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/senegal-state-property-lease-controversy
> Updated: 2026-10-11T12:13:53.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

A controversy has emerged in Senegal regarding the occupation of state-owned property in the Point E district of Dakar. During a parliamentary inquiry into state-built heritage, Yaya Abdoul Kane, former director general of the State Real Estate Management Company (SOGEPA), testified that former prosecutor Serigne Bassirou Guèye was granted two villas under a 99-year lease with a monthly rent of 100,000 FCFA.

Guèye has dismissed these claims as “false declarations.” He clarified that the 100,000 FCFA figure actually refers to a housing allowance deducted from his salary, asserting that his current rental agreement for the property is 1.5 million FCFA per month. Guèye also noted that he personally funded renovations on the property, which was previously used for food storage.

Moustapha Cissé Lô, former first vice-president of the National Assembly, defended Guèye, characterizing the investigation as “political harassment” and a “sterile and unjustified” controversy. Lô argued that the allocation of property to public figures is a long-standing practice in Senegal dating back to the presidency of Léopold Sédar Senghor.

The dispute has escalated following a demand by SOGEPA for Guèye to vacate the residence he has occupied since 2021. In response to this eviction order, Guèye sent a letter to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, outlining his history with administrative housing.

Expanding the scope of the parliamentary inquiry, Abdou Karim Fofana, former Minister of Commerce and former Director General of the State Built Heritage Management Agency (AGPBE), testified regarding the management of state real estate assets. Fofana defended his record by citing technical legal frameworks, contesting accusations regarding the acquisition of high-end villas and characterizing the proceedings as a “political trial.” The investigation continues to examine the legality of various leases and the management of state-owned properties.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-11: Abdou Karim Fofana testifies before Senegalese parliamentary inquiry

Former Senegalese minister Abdou Karim Fofana testified before a parliamentary inquiry into the management of state heritage and public funds, defending his actions against allegations of mismanagement.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serigne-bassirou-guye-contests-state-housing-eviction-order

### 2026-10-10: Moustapha Cissé Lô defends former prosecutor in Senegal villa dispute

Moustapha Cissé Lô has defended former prosecutor Serigne Bassirou Guèye against political backlash regarding the lease of state-owned villas in Dakar, calling the controversy unjustified.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moustapha-ciss-l-defends-former-prosecutor-in-senegal-villa-dispute

### 2026-10-09: Serigne Bassirou Guèye contests state housing allegations

Former Dakar prosecutor Serigne Bassirou Guèye has denied allegations regarding a low-cost state housing lease in Point E, clarifying that the disputed 100,000 FCFA figure was a salary allowance, not rent.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serigne-bassirou-guye-contests-state-housing-allegations

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Cite as: Senegal state property lease and eviction dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/senegal-state-property-lease-controversy