Ousmane Sonko calls for tighter regulation and transparency of political funds

Ousmane Sonko calls for tighter regulation and transparency of political funds

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has once again emphasized his determination to establish a framework for oversight and clarity regarding political funds. He stated that regulating these resources was a core promise made to the people of Sénégal during the election campaign. While addressing the issue, the head of government acknowledged a difference in perspective with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye concerning the specific management of these assets.

The conversation surrounding these discretionary funds was recently reignited following comments made by the Head of State at the Presidential Palace. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had supported the continuation of these funds, citing their necessity for national security, intelligence operations, international solidarity, and various urgent social requests addressed to the state. However, he also recognized the inherent challenges regarding transparency.

A long-standing commitment to reform

Speaking before lawmakers, Ousmane Sonko pointed out that the reform of political funds has been a pillar of his political movement’s platform for years. He noted that since 2019, his camp has championed the idea that all public resources must be handled with total transparency, asserting that this debate was self-initiated and not forced by external pressure.

The Prime Minister clarified that his objective is not the total abolition of these funds. Instead, he advocates for a rigorous monitoring mechanism, drawing parallels with systems used in other democratic nations. He specifically referenced France as an example where similar resources are subject to strict controls.

Ensuring public trust in financial management

Maintaining the public’s confidence in how tax money is spent remains a priority for the government. Ousmane Sonko revealed that the Primature currently has an allocation of 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds. He stressed that his push for reform is not a personal matter but a institutional necessity to ensure such money is never used as a political spoils system or for personal enrichment.

The Prime Minister was firm in his stance on accountability, declaring that no taxpayer money should ever be exempt from institutional oversight. He remains a vocal advocate for a governance model rooted in the regular reporting of accounts and financial integrity.

The path toward legislative change

Regarding the legislative process for this reform, Ousmane Sonko expressed a preference for an initiative led by the Executive branch. He mentioned that he had discussed the matter with the President following a bill proposal by deputy Guy Marius Sagna. The Prime Minister indicated that he intends to present a formal text to the Council of Ministers in the near future if current discussions do not reach a swift conclusion.