Ousmane Sonko: « I Disagree With President Diomaye Faye—He Made a Mistake »
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has openly criticized President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding the management of political funds, a controversy that has sparked debate since 2019. While Sonko advocates for strict transparency, he maintains that these funds must remain in place—a stance that has fueled tensions within the government.
Prime Minister Sonko’s Stand on Political Funds
The Prime Minister addressed the issue during an interview at the Palais de la République on May 2nd. He reiterated that the debate over political funds is not new but stems from a long-standing commitment made during his electoral campaign. Sonko emphasized that while he does not advocate for the abolition of these funds, he insists on their strict regulation to prevent misuse and ensure public accountability.
« These funds are a campaign promise, » he stated. « I disagree with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—he made a mistake. I trust he will correct his approach. » Sonko traced the origins of the debate back to 2019, noting that his camp initiated the discussion on transparency, asserting that all public funds must be subject to oversight.
Government Divisions Over Transparency
President Faye had previously defended the existence of political funds, arguing that their details cannot be disclosed to the public due to their sensitive nature. He justified their use by citing national security needs, intelligence operations, international solidarity obligations, and internal state solicitations.
Sonko countered that the funds must be managed with the same rigor as in other countries like France. « We are not calling for the elimination of political funds, but they must be controlled, » he explained. Highlighting the scale of the issue, he revealed that the Prime Ministry alone holds 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds. « This debate is not personal, » he asserted. « Senegalese citizens demand that these funds not be misused for personal enrichment or political favoritism. »
A Legislative Battle Ahead
The Prime Minister also weighed in on the ongoing legislative process surrounding the issue. He criticized the idea of the legislature spearheading the law, stating that such a move would contradict the executive branch’s responsibility. « When I learned that legislator Guy Marius Sagna intended to propose this law, I advised the President that it would be a failure for the legislative body to take the lead on a matter that falls under the executive’s jurisdiction, » he said. « I had already expressed my disagreement with his televised remarks. If the President’s stance does not evolve, I will introduce the proposal myself during the next council of ministers. »
Sonko concluded by reaffirming his commitment to transparency, declaring, « No public funds should escape scrutiny. These are matters of principle. »