Asset declarations are once again proving to be a crucial test of credibility for Senegal’s executive branch. Reports from Dakar indicate that numerous government ministers have reportedly failed to comply with this legal requirement. This comes despite asset transparency being a cornerstone pledge of the Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko administration since they took office in April 2024. The issue extends beyond mere administrative procedure, impacting the very consistency of the official narrative.
The Senegalese framework, established by the 2014 law creating the National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Office (OFNAC), mandates that a specific range of high-ranking public officials submit a detailed inventory of their assets upon assuming office and again when their tenure concludes. This obligation applies to the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, government ministers, heads of institutions, and credit administrators managing funds exceeding one billion CFA francs.
Strict legal requirements for asset disclosure
The legislation is explicit regarding deadlines. Designated officials are granted a three-month period following their appointment to submit their declarations to OFNAC. Beyond this timeframe, their compliance becomes legally questionable. According to reports from the Senegalese press, several members of the government, which underwent a reshuffle in autumn 2024, are currently reported to be non-compliant.
This non-compliance is far from trivial. The law stipulates that should an official fail to submit their declaration, OFNAC must issue a formal notice. If the lack of response continues, the institution is empowered to pursue legal action. Failure to declare assets can lead to severe penalties, including salary suspension and, potentially, criminal prosecution. While this mechanism is designed to be a deterrent, its actual effectiveness has frequently been debated.
Political challenge for the current administration
The stakes are particularly high because the fight against illicit enrichment and the promotion of accountability were central to Pastef’s successful election campaign. The new ruling party has initiated various legal proceedings against former officials from the Macky Sall regime, specifically utilizing the powers of OFNAC and the financial prosecutor’s office. Discovering non-compliance within the current government would significantly undermine the moral authority asserted by the administration.
OFNAC, led by a magistrate since its recent restructuring, theoretically possesses the necessary authority to initiate these legal processes. However, the political will to see these procedures through remains to be seen, especially given that previous reports from the institution have consistently highlighted low compliance rates among mandated officials, even during prior administrations. The last public report noted hundreds of anticipated declarations, a substantial portion of which were never filed.
Asset transparency: a regional imperative
The ongoing discussion in Senegal reflects a broader trend across West Africa. Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, and Burkina Faso have all implemented similar measures in recent years, driven by ECOWAS and African Union protocols aimed at preventing corruption. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these member states varies, with practical implementation frequently hampered by administrative hurdles and a lack of public disclosure for these declarations.
In Dakar, various civil society organizations, including the Civil Forum, which is the Senegalese chapter of Transparency International, have long advocated for the full public disclosure of these declarations, mirroring practices in some European democracies. This demand, however, conflicts with the confidentiality principle enshrined in Senegalese law, which restricts access solely to authorized bodies and imposes criminal penalties for any unauthorized disclosure.
Ultimately, the current situation presents the government with a straightforward choice. Either the implicated ministers promptly rectify their compliance status, thereby resolving the issue, or OFNAC will initiate its procedures, leading to a politically damaging period for an administration that has championed integrity. The overall credibility of the anti-corruption agenda hinges on how this particular signal is addressed. The implicated ministers now face formal notice from the institution.
Further reading
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