Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has publicly challenged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye over the management of political funds, a long-standing issue that has sparked debate within the government since 2019. While Sonko advocates for strict transparency, he insists these funds should remain in place, creating a rift within the administration.
Disagreement over political funds management
The Prime Minister emphasized that political funds were a campaign promise and a debate his party initiated years ago. During a May 2 interview at the Presidential Palace, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye defended the existence of these funds, stating they cannot be publicly detailed due to their sensitive nature. He justified their use for intelligence, security needs, international solidarity obligations, and state solicitations.
Sonko countered: “Political funds were an electoral commitment. I disagree with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—he made a mistake. I trust he will correct this.” He traced the debate back to 2019, when his party first raised concerns about transparency in these funds, arguing they should be subject to public scrutiny.
Strict control, not abolition
Sonko clarified that his stance isn’t about eliminating political funds but ensuring rigorous oversight. “We’re not calling for their abolition—just strict controls like in France,” he stated. Describing his own management of these funds at the Prime Minister’s office, he revealed: “I oversee 1.77 billion in political funds. This isn’t personal—it’s about ensuring these funds aren’t misused for political gain or personal enrichment.”
The Prime Minister stressed that public funds must never evade scrutiny: “These are matters of principle. Every taxpayer’s franc must be accounted for.” He also addressed an ongoing legislative process on the issue, warning that if the legislative branch proposed the law instead of the executive, it would fail. He confirmed he would bring the proposal to the Council of Ministers if delays persisted.
