Senegal prime minister pushes for stricter oversight of political funds

In a renewed push for accountability, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has intensified calls for tighter regulation of political funds, emphasizing the need for transparent governance of public resources. Speaking during a parliamentary session, he underscored the importance of ensuring that every franc spent aligns with the principles of openness and responsibility.

Ousmane Sonko made it clear that the objective is not to eliminate political funds altogether but to establish robust oversight mechanisms that prevent misuse. His stance reflects a long-standing commitment by his party, Pastef, to fiscal transparency. During the heated exchange with lawmakers, he declared, « Every single franc belonging to the Senegalese people must be accounted for with absolute precision. »

The Prime Minister also disclosed that he personally oversees 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds allocated to the Prime Minister’s office. By acknowledging the existence of these resources, he sought to dispel any perception that the debate was targeted at specific individuals. However, he acknowledged a divergence of opinions with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has previously defended the necessity of these funds, citing critical expenses such as national security, intelligence operations, and diplomatic engagements.

Ousmane Sonko pointed to international models as examples of effective oversight. He highlighted how Western nations, including France, have institutionalized controls over such funds, often through dedicated parliamentary or independent commissions. His remarks signal a broader ambition to align Senegal’s governance practices with global standards of financial transparency.

In closing, the Prime Minister revealed that he had engaged in discussions with the Head of State regarding a parliamentary initiative spearheaded by legislator Guy Marius Sagna. While he did not explicitly endorse the proposal, he cautioned that premature parliamentary intervention could undermine the government’s efforts to reform the system from within.