Senegal’s political funds: a shift from secrecy to transparency under Diomaye Faye

In a revealing statement, Abdourahmane Diouf, a prominent political figure in Senegal, has shed light on the handling of political funds and credits allocated to the Prime Minister’s office during Ousmane Sonko’s tenure. His remarks come at a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape, following the recent merger of Sonko’s party, Awalé, into Kiiraay—a new political formation launched in Dakar on July 25 by the President of the Republic. This merger emerged from the consolidation of 437 parties and movements that were part of the former Diomaye Président coalition.

Controversial expenditure under scrutiny

Diouf’s intervention centers on the substantial financial resources allocated to Ousmane Sonko while he held the position of Prime Minister. He recalled the figures shared during Sonko’s appointment: “He declared having access to 1.77 billion CFA francs per quarter,” Diouf noted. However, his analysis revealed a troubling pattern: “What I know is that after spending this amount, he went as far as requesting an additional top-up… indicating that it still wasn’t enough.”

Demands for accountability and public scrutiny

Addressing the public’s concerns, Diouf advocated for a thorough parliamentary investigation into the utilization of these funds. “What I wanted was for a parliamentary inquiry commission to be established, with all televisions and radio stations broadcasting live, so that we could be shown exactly where this money was spent,” he asserted. This call for transparency follows Sonko’s disclosure of the budget figures to lawmakers on May 22, just hours before his removal from office.

Contrasting governance: transparency as a new standard

When questioned about the differences in governance between Ousmane Sonko and the current Head of State, Abdourahmane Diouf praised the latter’s approach. “Every Senegalese is aware that the President of the Republic has political funds. Everyone knows how much these funds amount to—it is no secret,” he began. The true breakthrough, according to Diouf, lies in dismantling the long-standing culture of opacity surrounding these financial resources.

He highlighted the President’s commitment to openness: “President Diomaye has taken the commendable step of publicly declaring to all Senegalese: ‘The political funds are here, and I will use them in this specific manner.'” This declaration, Diouf argued, reinforces the legitimacy of the government’s financial management. He concluded by emphasizing the significance of this shift: “We are now operating in an era of complete transparency in executing a budget approved by the National Assembly. No one can claim that these funds were misused.”