Dakar — The leader of the political movement AGIR-Les Leaders, Thierno Bocoum, has levelled sharp criticism at Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko over the management of political funds during his tenure in public office.
Bocoum argues that Sonko publicly acknowledged receiving an annual sum of approximately 1.77 billion francs CFA under the guise of political funding. The opposition figure questions the legitimacy of Sonko’s anti-corruption stance, highlighting the apparent contradiction between his public declarations and his own financial dealings.
In addition to the financial figures, Bocoum points out that the revelation of these funds came years after their alleged disbursement. He raises concerns about parliamentary oversight, noting that lawmakers—tasked with approving the national budget and monitoring government spending—remained unaware of the funds’ existence for an extended period. This delay, he insists, raises serious doubts about the transparency and accountability of the system.
Bocoum further underscores the lack of clarity surrounding the institutional framework governing these funds. He cites public statements from a former government spokesperson, who claimed to have had no knowledge of such financial arrangements, as evidence of systemic opacity.
The opposition leader accuses Sonko of selectively enforcing ethical standards in public life. He alleges that while Sonko readily issues certificates of probity to others, he himself avoids the same scrutiny and transparency he demands from his peers. This, Bocoum warns, fosters a culture of double standards in Senegal’s political landscape.
He concludes by cautioning against the dangers of a moral discourse that applies unevenly across public officials, calling for consistent and equitable accountability for all.
