Senegal’s special funds: sonko’s unprecedented access as first prime minister

Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, former minister, has made a striking revelation regarding Ousmane Sonko‘s tenure as Prime Minister, asserting that he was the first to access Senegal’s special funds allocated to the Prime Minister’s office. This statement, made during a televised appearance, sheds new light on the allocation and utilization of these controversial financial resources.

Revelations on the origins of special funds access

During his television appearance, Aly Ngouille Ndiaye provided a detailed account of the history of these funds, emphasizing that Ousmane Sonko was the pioneer in benefiting from this financial mechanism. “He was the first Prime Minister to have access to these funds. I was never Prime Minister myself, but several former Prime Ministers who are still alive can confirm this. Only Boun Abdallah Dioné, may God rest his soul, was not granted these funds,” he explained.

The former minister went further, highlighting that Amadou Ba did not have access to these funds either. “He was replaced by Sidiki before he could benefit from them, and Sidiki did not remain in office long enough to access them,” he added.

Financial discrepancies and rapid depletion

Aly Ngouille Ndiaye also addressed the ambiguity surrounding the allocation frequency of these funds. While some claim disbursement occurs quarterly, others suggest an annual basis. Based on his calculations, if distributed annually, Sonko would have received around 8 billion FCFA. However, he noted that the initial 1.7 billion FCFA were depleted rapidly, raising questions about the actual allocation method. “If the funds were allocated annually but depleted within a quarter, it suggests a different distribution model,” he remarked.

The former minister drew a logical conclusion: “If the successor found nothing upon taking office, it implies Sonko consumed these resources entirely.”

Calls for transparency and parliamentary scrutiny

Addressing the role of parliamentary inquiry commissions, Aly Ngouille Ndiaye urged Sonko to clarify the utilization of the 1.7 billion FCFA. “If I were in his position, the first step would be to explain how these funds were spent. Parliamentary commissions should investigate this matter thoroughly,” he stated.

He criticized the inconsistency between rhetoric and action, saying: “They often claim they won’t use institutions, but this case proves otherwise. Actions must align with words.”