Former presidential director of general means Cheikh Oumar Diagne revealed that he received a hotel bill exceeding 200 million CFA francs from the King Fahd Palace following a stay by Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his collaborators after the 2024 presidential election. According to his statements, the bill arrived shortly after his appointment, prompting a refusal to pay and an attempt to establish a formal state convention with the property.
The financial dispute centers on accommodations utilized immediately after the March 2024 presidential victory. Prior to taking the oath of office and occupying the official palace, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and key figures—including then-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko—stayed at the King Fahd Palace starting March 27, 2024, after initial security assessments in the Mermoz neighborhood, according to reporting cited from xalaattv.net.
Dispute Over State Property and Billing
Cheikh Oumar Diagne stated in a video broadcast on social media that he immediately rejected the invoice upon taking office in May 2024. He argued that because the King Fahd Palace is state-owned property, the government should not be billed for housing its own officials. To enforce what he termed a new management doctrine and rationalization of expenses, he halted all presidential seminars and activities at the hotel.
Following the rejection of the bill, the former director consulted both the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance to clarify whether the state bore any legal obligation to settle the sum. However, the matter remained unresolved as subsequent administrative friction mounted over state hospitality expenses.
Did You Know? The King Fahd Palace previously faced public scrutiny in October 2024 when its management firmly denied any outstanding debts, asserting at the time that Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s initial stay had been completely settled.
Political Fallout and Subsequent Dismissal
Tensions surrounding the hotel management policy spilled over ahead of a religious event. Cheikh Oumar Diagne subsequently refused to approve King Fahd Palace accommodations for foreign delegations arriving for the Magal, citing a strict need for inventory checks across hospitality venues and tighter expenditure controls.
The administrative disagreement did not end with the hotel dispute. Cheikh Oumar Diagne was eventually dismissed from his post following a separate controversy involving the dossier of the Senegalese tirailleurs. At the time of his disclosures, neither the current Presidency nor the management of the King Fahd Palace had issued a public response to his detailed video statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who received the hotel bill for 200 million CFA francs?
Cheikh Oumar Diagne, the former director of general means at the Presidency, stated that he received the invoice following his appointment.
Which hotel issued the disputed invoice?
The King Fahd Palace, which is owned by the state of Senegal, issued the bill following the post-election stay.
What actions did Cheikh Oumar Diagne take regarding the hotel?
He refused to pay the bill, halted all presidential seminars and activities at the King Fahd Palace, and consulted the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance regarding state obligations.
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