Senegal’s prime minister challenges president over political funds transparency

In a rare public display of disagreement within Senegal’s leadership, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko openly corrected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding the management of political funds. Speaking before lawmakers, Sonko emphasized that the government’s coalition had never intended to eliminate these allocations but rather to reform their oversight.

Addressing the controversy surrounding so-called “black boxes” and political envelopes, Sonko declared, « I disagree with the President on this issue. I believe he made a mistake, and I hope he will reconsider his position. » He stressed that the coalition’s pledge was to eradicate unchecked financial practices, stating that « no fictitious cash reserves containing public funds should remain in the hands of unaccountable individuals. »

The Prime Minister disclosed that the Prime Minister’s office alone holds 1.77 billion FCFA in political funds, rejecting their use as tools for electoral manipulation or personal enrichment. To curb opacity, Sonko advocated for sweeping reforms rooted in transparency and parliamentary oversight, drawing inspiration from France’s model of restricted budget committees.

While acknowledging that certain budgets—like those tied to national security—cannot be publicly disclosed, he proposed forming a special parliamentary commission to verify that allocated funds are used as intended. Demonstrating commitment to change, Sonko announced the elimination of cash transactions, favoring digital transfers and checks for managing public resources.

« This is a matter of principle, » he asserted. « The funds will remain, and I am not opposed to increasing them. However, they must be subject to rigorous control. » His remarks drew applause from legislators, underscoring the significance of his stance in Senegal’s evolving political landscape.