Dakar — Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has publicly challenged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s position on political funds, drawing a clear line between transparency and opacity in Senegal’s governance.
In a bold statement, Sonko declared, « I disagree with the President on this matter. I believe he has made a mistake, and I am confident he will reconsider. » He emphasized that the coalition’s original pledge was never to eliminate these funds entirely but to dismantle their misuse—specifically, the misuse of « shadow accounts containing public money, entrusted to individuals without oversight. »
The Prime Minister revealed that the Prime Minister’s Office alone holds 1.77 billion FCFA in political funds, stressing that these resources must no longer serve as « electoral tools or personal enrichment mechanisms for political allies. »
To enforce accountability, Sonko proposed a sweeping reform centered on transparency and parliamentary oversight, drawing inspiration from France’s financial governance model. While acknowledging that certain budgets—such as those tied to national security—cannot be publicly disclosed, he advocated for a « restricted parliamentary commission » to verify that allocated funds are used as intended. « The amounts voted must correspond to their designated purposes, » he asserted.
As a tangible step toward reform, Sonko announced the end of cash transactions in favor of digital transfers and checks for managing his office’s funds. « This is a matter of principle. The funds will remain, and I am not opposed to their increase—provided they are properly controlled. » His remarks were met with applause from legislators, signaling growing support for fiscal accountability in Senegal’s political landscape.
