Madiambal Diagne, speaking from France: "My family and I will prevail."

In an interview with L'Observateur, Madiambal Diagne displayed remarkable composure in the face of the dual legal battle he is currently waging between France and Senegal. The media mogul stated his conviction that "regardless of the length of the proceedings," he and his family will prevail.

Regarding the French aspect, marked by an extradition request from the State of Senegal, the case has become entangled in the complexities of French legal procedures. Following a ruling by the Versailles Court of Appeal advocating for a partial extradition, the defense appealed to the French Court of Cassation. Madiambal Diagne points out that, given the average processing time of approximately 457 days, no decision is expected before next year. He also notes that even if the French government were to sign an extradition decree, it would still have significant legal recourse, including an appeal to the Council of State, or even a case before the European Court of Human Rights.

Regarding the Senegalese aspect of the case, being investigated by the Financial Judicial Pool (PJF) as part of the "Ellipse Project" affair, the columnist believes the accusations have fizzled out "like a deflated balloon." He accuses former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), Amadou Bamba Siby, of having produced a one-sided report accusing him of acts that "exist only in [their] imagination." According to him, the "emptiness of the case" is now evident, as demonstrated by the gradual loosening of the grip on his associates.

Charged with complicity in embezzlement of public funds and money laundering, his sons Mohamed Diagne and Serigne Saliou Diagne had already been released. His wife, Mabintou Diaby, is also free.

Madiambal Diagne thus sees "the light at the end of the tunnel," relying in particular on a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning Farba Ngom. The high court had ruled that there could be no embezzlement of public funds since the accused "never had a contract with the State of Senegal and never received a single franc from the public treasury." Finding himself in the same legal position, the media mogul remains calm and asserts that if the law is applied fairly, his case will collapse "like a house of cards."