The recent technical consensus between Senegal and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sparked fresh political debate. Thierno Bocoum, who leads the Agir-Les Leaders movement, is calling on government officials to clarify how national debt and the terms of this new financial program will be handled.
The former parliamentarian insists on the public disclosure of the memorandum of economic and financial policies. Alternatively, he argues the document must be submitted directly to the National Assembly to ensure representatives can openly debate the commitments made on behalf of the Senegalese population.
Bocoum’s critiques extend beyond the current administration to target key figures like Ousmane Sonko and Abdourahmane Sarr, whom he holds responsible for the events leading to the country’s current fiscal challenges.
Regarding Ousmane Sonko, Bocoum points out that his tenure as Prime Minister from April 2, 2024, to May 22, 2026, placed him at the center of IMF negotiations. He accuses Sonko of being deeply involved in discussions that ultimately led to the suspension of the previous program.
Furthermore, Bocoum references the September 2024 announcement of alleged discrepancies in debt data, claiming this public disclosure damaged Senegal’s financial credibility and triggered the program’s halt. He also points to high-interest borrowing on the regional market as a consequence.
Abdourahmane Sarr also under scrutiny
Bocoum also questions the shifting stance of Abdourahmane Sarr, the former Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation. He highlights a clear contradiction in Sarr’s past statements regarding the sustainability of Senegal’s debt.
Previously, the former minister defended the viability of the nation’s debt trajectory, only for authorities to later request debt relief measures to restore fiscal balance.
According to the Agir-Les Leaders leader, all officials involved in these financial negotiations must take responsibility for the ongoing economic hurdles. These demands arrive just as Senegal secures a technical agreement with the IMF for a fresh economic and financial framework.
