The discussion surrounding asset declarations has re-emerged in Senegal, with Khalifa Sall taking an assertive stance. The former mayor of Dakar, a prominent figure in Taxawu Sénégal, has publicly advocated for making the financial disclosures of high-ranking state officials accessible to the general public. This position aligns with a political climate heavily influenced by demands for transparency, a key platform of the new authorities who came to power following the March 2024 presidential election.

Khalifa Sall supports public asset disclosures

The former leader of the Senegalese capital has unequivocally supported the public disclosure of asset declarations by public figures. For him, the financial transparency of elected officials and senior civil servants is not merely a legal obligation; it forms a cornerstone of trust between those who govern and the citizenry. The head of Taxawu Sénégal believes that making these documents public would contribute to purifying public life and preempting suspicions of illicit enrichment, which frequently plague the political class.

This statement is significant. Khalifa Sall, a long-standing opponent of the Macky Sall regime, now positions himself on an issue where the incumbent administration, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has made accountability a central pillar of its political agenda. By joining the call for greater transparency, the former Dakar mayor avoids appearing out of step with the public’s desire for ethical governance.

An older legal framework, rarely enforced

Asset declaration is not a new concept within Senegal’s institutional structure. The 2014 law on asset declarations already mandates a number of public officials, including the head of state, to submit their declarations to the National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC). The President of the Republic, in particular, is required to do so at the beginning and end of their term. However, in practice, these documents have remained confidential and are not made public.

It is precisely this confidentiality that the current debate seeks to challenge. Several voices, from civil society to the political sphere, are advocating for a shift towards a public disclosure regime, similar to what exists in certain European or Latin American democracies. The question, therefore, is no longer merely about filing the declarations but about public access to this information, which is essential for effective citizen oversight.

A paramount political and institutional challenge

Beyond Khalifa Sall’s specific case, each political actor’s stance on this issue is becoming a defining marker. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye himself made his asset declaration public shortly after his inauguration in April 2024, a move widely praised as a symbolic break from past practices. Since then, pressure has intensified on other officials—ministers, deputies, institution presidents, and general directors—to follow suit.

The alignment of opposition figures or former stalwarts with this demand for publicity could reshape the political landscape. By publicly supporting the principle, Khalifa Sall adopts a posture of responsibility while preserving his freedom to critique how the government executes its own transparency agenda. This dual stance is characteristic of an experienced opposition figure seeking to avoid being confined to a purely confrontational role.

Ultimately, the concrete implementation of these intentions will depend on the legislative calendar. A reform of the 2014 law, or the adoption of new legislation mandating public declarations, requires parliamentary consensus. The Pastef majority, strengthened by the snap legislative elections of November 2024, is well-positioned to champion such a measure. The question remains how far the government will push this logic and under what conditions other political parties will agree to fully embrace transparency.