Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has renewed his call for tighter regulation and transparency regarding political funds, stressing that their oversight is a commitment made to the Senegalese people during his election campaign. While addressing this sensitive issue, the head of government acknowledged a disagreement with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on how these resources should be managed.

The debate surrounding political funds resurfaced following an interview given by the Head of State at the Presidential Palace on May 2. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye defended the continuation of these funds while acknowledging the transparency challenges they present. The president highlighted the necessity of these resources for intelligence operations, national security, international solidarity, and the numerous requests made to the state.

Addressing lawmakers, Ousmane Sonko reiterated that the issue of political funds has been a long-standing reform advocated by his political camp. He stated, “Since 2019, we have been pushing this debate on political funds. No one imposed it on us; we believed all funds must be transparent.”

The Prime Minister clarified that his push is not aimed at eliminating political funds but rather ensuring they are subject to rigorous oversight mechanisms, drawing inspiration from models applied in several democracies. He emphasized, “We are not saying we will abolish political funds, but they must be controlled, as is done in countries like France.”

Sonko underscored the importance of preserving public trust in the management of state resources. Referring to the funds allocated to the Prime Minister’s office, he revealed the existence of “1 billion 770 million in political funds” while stressing that “this debate is not personal.” He added that Senegalese citizens primarily expect these funds not to be used as “political spoils or tools for personal enrichment.”

The government chief also reaffirmed his commitment to the principle of accountability in public finance management. “No taxpayer money should escape scrutiny,” he declared, advocating for governance that prioritizes transparency and accountability.

On the legislative process surrounding this reform, Ousmane Sonko indicated his preference for an executive-led initiative. He revealed having discussed the matter with the President of the Republic after an announcement by Deputy Guy Marius Sagna proposing a bill on this issue. Sonko announced his intention to submit a draft law to the Council of Ministers if current consultations do not yield quick results.