Ousmane Sonko calls for transparency in Senegal political funds

A public divergence on governance in Sénégal

In a rare display of public disagreement within the executive branch, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has clarified the government’s direction regarding the controversial issue of political funds. Addressing the matter directly, he expressed a difference in perspective from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The Prime Minister stated that he does not align with the President’s current stance on this specific point, suggesting that the Head of State may have misinterpreted the coalition’s objectives. Ousmane Sonko emphasized that the coalition’s promise was not to eliminate these financial resources entirely, but rather to dismantle the system of “fictitious accounts” that allowed public money to be used without any oversight or accountability.

Ending the era of “slush funds”

During his address, the head of government revealed that the Prime Minister’s office currently manages 1.77 billion FCFA in political funds. However, he was firm in his conviction that these assets must no longer serve as tools for electoral manipulation, the purchase of political loyalty, or personal gain.

To replace the existing opacity with a culture of accountability, Ousmane Sonko is advocating for a significant overhaul. His vision includes a system of parliamentary control similar to the model used in France. While acknowledging that certain budgets—particularly those related to national security—cannot be made public, he proposed the establishment of a restricted committee of deputies. This group would be responsible for verifying that allocated sums are used strictly for their intended purposes.

Commitment to financial transparency

Leading by example, the Prime Minister explained that he has already moved away from physical cash transactions. Instead, he utilizes bank transfers and checks to manage his office’s funds. Ousmane Sonko clarified that his opposition is not toward the existence of the funds themselves—noting he would even support an increase if necessary—but toward the lack of regulation.

The Prime Minister concluded by asserting that the maintenance of these funds is a matter of principle, provided they are subject to rigorous auditing, a statement that was met with approval from the attending deputies.