Senegal political funds dispute: Prime Minister Sonko challenges presidential decisions

The Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has publicly challenged the President’s decisions regarding political funds during a heated session at the National Assembly this past Friday. Speaking before lawmakers, Sonko declared his disagreement with the Head of State’s handling of this sensitive issue, stating « the President made an error ».

In his address to deputies, Sonko made it clear that he does not share the presidency’s position on this matter, while expressing hope for a reconsideration of the stance taken by the executive branch. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of transparent oversight of political funds, a core promise of his political movement since 2014.

Long-standing demands for transparency

Sonko recalled that his party has consistently advocated for stricter controls over political funding, with these concerns first raised in 2014 and later included in the 2019 electoral program. Despite commitments made by the new administration, he argued that no substantial progress has been achieved in implementing these controls.

The Prime Minister clarified that his position does not involve eliminating political funds entirely but rather establishing a regulatory framework similar to the system used in France. « We never suggested abolishing these funds, but they must be subject to rigorous oversight, » he asserted.

Governance and public trust at stake

Sonko also dismissed rumors suggesting that political funds might be transferred to the Prime Minister’s office. He pointed out that his administration already manages a budget exceeding one billion CFA francs, underscoring that the debate centers on governance and restoring citizen confidence in public institutions.

Highlighting widespread skepticism among the Senegalese people, he noted that many citizens believe these funds are often misused to purchase political support. « No single franc should escape scrutiny, » he stressed, reaffirming his commitment to full transparency in financial governance.