Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has reiterated his commitment to tightening oversight and transparency around political funds, framing it as a core pledge made to Senegalese voters during his electoral campaign. In a candid exchange, the head of government acknowledged a fundamental disagreement with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye over the methods best suited to manage these resources.
The debate surrounding political funds resurfaced following a May 2nd interview at the Presidential Palace, where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye defended the continuation of these funds while acknowledging their inherent transparency challenges. The head of state highlighted critical imperatives such as intelligence, national security, international solidarity, and the myriad demands placed on the state’s resources.
Addressing lawmakers, Ousmane Sonko emphasized that political fund reform has been a cornerstone of his political movement’s agenda for years. “Since 2019, we’ve championed this debate on political funds. It wasn’t imposed on us; we recognized that all funds must be transparent,” he stated firmly.
The Prime Minister clarified that his objective is not to abolish political funds outright but to subject them to rigorous oversight mechanisms akin to those in place in several established democracies. “We’re not calling for the elimination of political funds, but they must be regulated, as seen in countries like France,” he asserted.
Sonko underscored the urgent need to restore public trust in the management of state resources. Referencing funds allocated to the Prime Minister’s office, he disclosed the existence of a 1.77 billion FCFA political fund while stressing that this discussion “transcends personalities.” Above all, he emphasized, Senegalese citizens demand assurance that these resources will not be exploited for political spoils or personal enrichment.
The government leader also reaffirmed his dedication to the principle of accountability in public finance management. “No taxpayer money should evade scrutiny,” he declared, advocating for governance rooted in transparency and strict accountability.
On the legislative front, Sonko revealed his preference for an Executive-led initiative. He disclosed ongoing discussions with the President of the Republic following the announcement of a draft law by Deputy Guy Marius Sagna on the matter. The Prime Minister announced his intention to submit a formal proposal to the Council of Ministers in the coming weeks if current consultations fail to yield swift progress.
