Political clash erupts over special funds reform in Senegal

Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf, Senegal’s Deputy General Supervisor of the KIIRAAY / Republican Patriots coalition and Minister of Petroleum, has intensified his criticism of National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko’s latest proposal on special credit reforms. The minister accuses Sonko of ‘double discourse’ after the latter’s recent visits to religious leaders, highlighting a stark contrast between his parliamentary submissions and public statements to spiritual communities.

Minister Diouf condemns parliamentary proposal as ‘anti-social and anti-religious’

In a scathing statement, Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf has slammed the National Assembly’s draft law on special credits, particularly its restrictive clauses. He points to Article 2, which limits these funds to defense, security, and intelligence, and Article 5, which explicitly excludes social spending. The minister condemns these measures as fundamentally ‘anti-social and anti-religious’, arguing they disregard the needs of vulnerable populations and undermine national solidarity.

‘What Ousmane Sonko proposes in Parliament bears no resemblance to what he has been telling our religious leaders,’ Diouf asserts, emphasizing a ‘profound moral issue’ at the heart of the political debate. He condemns the draft law as a deliberate exclusion of social and humanitarian values, warning that it threatens the very fabric of Senegalese society.

Executive amendments praised for restoring human values

In stark contrast, Dr. Diouf praises the Executive Branch’s amendments to the proposal, which reintroduce ‘social order preservation’ and ‘values of humanitarian aid, mutual support, and solidarity’. His message is clear: ‘Where Parliament excludes, the Executive includes.’ He insists that the government’s approach aligns with Senegal’s moral and ethical obligations, unlike the parliamentary majority’s restrictive measures.

Accusations of hypocrisy and misuse of political funds

The minister also takes aim at Ousmane Sonko’s tenure as Prime Minister, accusing him of hypocrisy in his handling of political funds. ‘Practice what you preach! Assume the consequences of your own discriminatory allocation of political funds toward religious communities!’ Diouf declares, invoking the principle of the Republic as the sole guiding force in governance.

The clash underscores deepening divisions over national priorities, with religious institutions and social welfare advocates pitted against austerity measures proposed by the parliamentary majority.