AIBD SA: Staff raise the alarm about a governance crisis and appeal to the Prime Minister

Representatives of the staff of Blaise Diagne International Airport have appealed to the Prime Minister to denounce a series of dysfunctions which they attribute to the management of the Director General, Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dièye.

"It is with extreme gravity and a keen sense of responsibility that all the active forces and staff representatives of AIBD SA address themselves to your high authority, in order to bring to your attention

"We wish to draw your attention to the profound governance crisis that has been shaking AIBD SA since the appointment of its Director General, Mr. Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dièye. What should have been a management approach focused on rigor and the strategic development of the national airport hub has rapidly transformed into a system characterized by a lack of transparency, authoritarianism, technical incompetence, and the systematic violation of laws and regulations. Faced with this increasingly untenable situation, we are requesting the Government's intervention for a mission of public salvation," reads a letter addressed to the Prime Minister.

The signatories denounce a management marked by a lack of transparency, authoritarianism, technical amateurism and systematic violation of laws and regulations.

The signatories first challenge the company's financial and administrative management. They state that "from the moment he took office, the managing director distinguished himself through arbitrary practices. Without any internal memo or formal administrative act that could be challenged, he unilaterally deducted 100 liters of fuel from the allocations of those entitled to it. Presented orally as a temporary measure, this illegal misappropriation has become the permanent rule, in blatant disregard of the law."

Alongside these restrictions imposed on staff under the guise of a paralyzing misery, the CEO engaged in patronage-based hiring practices, placing relatives in strategic management positions without regard for their qualifications or skills. They also denounce these recruitments as "patronage-based," even though he publicly stated that the company was suffering from an overstaffed workforce.

"All consultation, coordination and technical exchange bodies are now at a standstill. Decisions committing the future of the company are made in total opacity within his personal office, which has become a supreme body from which staff and professional managers are formally excluded."

Another grievance raised is the marginalization of consultative bodies and technical staff. According to the authors, decisions affecting the company's future are made within a small circle around senior management.

On the social front, staff representatives are mainly denouncing the delay in organizing elections for staff representatives, whose mandates would have expired since 2021.

They claim that the regional labor and social security inspectorate of Thiès sent two warnings to management, followed by a formal notice dated August 3, 2026, setting a deadline of August 20 to comply with this obligation.

The signatories thus accuse the general management of showing defiance towards the competent authorities.

They also question the consistency between the regularly brandished threat of a possible "social plan" and the continuation, according to them, of recruitment at the general management level.

The management of health insurance coverage is another point of concern. Staff representatives cite recurring service disruptions with the insurer SAAR, which they attribute to payment defaults, as well as difficulties related to health cards. They estimate that this situation directly affects more than 800 employees and their families.

The correspondence also mentions arrears owed to EAMAC which, according to the union representatives, would have consequences on the issuing of diplomas and licenses to air traffic controllers trained at great expense.

The signatories also raise concerns about the relationship between AIBD SA and the communities that hosted the airport. They recall the sacrifices made by these communities during the airport's construction, including population displacements and commitments made regarding local employment.

They are therefore opposed to a plan to outsource certain jobs, particularly those related to cleaning and security. They believe such a move could undermine social stability and the airport's acceptance by local residents.

On the technical side, the letter raises concerns about several regional airport facilities. The signatories assert that Ziguinchor airport has several "major technical non-conformities," citing, among other things, the lack of suitable offices and lightning rods. They also believe that the airports of Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, and Kédougou are not receiving the necessary attention given their importance in regional development.

They also claim that the company's governance has been affected by the departure of several experienced executives. The chief financial officer, the legal director, and the head of procurement and general services have reportedly left the organization.

In light of this situation, the authors are calling on the Prime Minister to order a thorough audit and inspection of AIBD SA. Three areas are being specifically targeted: the regularity of recruitments carried out since May 2024, the procedures for awarding public contracts and service agreements, and the management of missions, airfare, and operating expenses of the Director General's office.

Beyond these audits, staff representatives are officially demanding the removal of Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dièye as head of AIBD SA. They believe that his current leadership is insufficient to restore trust and social harmony within the company. They cite the preservation of national heritage, the security of airport operations, and the continuity of public service as reasons for his removal.