Senegal admits IMF money gift

The government in Senegal has confirmed that it gave money to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official earlier this month, after previously denying the allegations.



Alex Segura was reportedly given almost $200,000 at the end of his three-year posting.



The IMF says the money was paid back as quickly as possible.



Prime Minister Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye says it was a goodbye present, part of an African tradition, but opposition activists have condemned what they regard as a corrupt payment.



The fund had said in a statement that Mr Segura was given the present after a dinner with President Abdoulaye Wade, but did not realise the gift was money until he was about to leave the country for Barcelona.