The past few days have seen a storm of controversy sparked by a leaked letter penned by Juan Branco, a French lawyer and essayist, addressed to Ousmane Sonko, then Prime Minister of Senegal. The document, dated February 4, 2025, outlines five key requests that intertwine legal, political, and personal ambitions, exposing a web of questionable expectations between the two figures.
legal maneuvering and sovereignty concerns
Branco’s first demand revolves around a Spanish judge’s rogatory commission linked to his 2023 abduction in Mauritania. He urges Sonko to pressure Senegalese judicial authorities to expedite cooperation, subtly questioning Senegal’s sovereignty by hinting at covert French involvement in the case. This sets the tone for a series of requests that push the boundaries of legality and institutional integrity.
The second axis targets Senegalese intelligence files from the Macky Sall administration, particularly those involving alleged collaboration with French secret services. Branco claims these documents, which he insists are crucial to countering a “powerful counter-narrative” in France, could expose a Kompromat scheme from October 2023. However, accessing such classified materials would violate Senegal’s Penal Code (Articles 61 and 371), constituting crimes like breaching national defense secrets, professional secrecy, and unauthorized disclosure of restricted information.
political and financial entanglements
Branco’s third request centers on the France-ICC case concerning alleged crimes against humanity involving former Senegal President Macky Sall. He calls for Sonko’s direct intervention, including financial support, despite the absence of Senegal as a civil party in the proceedings. Such demands risk legal repercussions, including misuse of public funds or political party finances, and undermine international judicial credibility by bypassing formal channels like rogatory commissions.
The fourth issue highlights Branco’s aspirations for diplomatic representation. Since May 2024, he has sought a role as Senegal’s UN Ambassador in New York, framing it as a sovereignist and panafricanist gesture. Rejected in favor of another diplomat, he now demands expedited Senegalese citizenship to join the Sénégal Bar and teach at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. These requests bypass institutional rules, raising conflicts of interest and allegations of favoritism.
financial opacity and transactional dynamics
Branco’s final point details 15,000 euros in fees and reimbursements received between 2023 and 2025—including 2,000 euros from Senegalese lawyer Bamba Cissé for a Dakar trip. He argues these funds fall short of compensating for his abduction, detention, and ongoing legal battles in France. The lack of formal contractual agreements with Senegal raises concerns over public fund misuse, opaque financial practices, and potential breaches of procurement and capital flow transparency laws. This shift from ideological alliance to a transactional relationship underscores the strained nature of their bond.
