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Ousmane Sonko’s firm stance on Senegal’s imf agreement

Ousmane Sonko’s firm stance on Senegal’s imf agreement
niameynews Politique
Ousmane Sonko - Président de l'Assemblée nationale

Ousmane Sonko, the esteemed former Prime Minister and current Speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly, has publicly shared his views on the latest cooperation agreement between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Senegalese government. Through his official Facebook page, the head of the parliamentary body announced that a comprehensive debate would soon commence to thoroughly examine the full scope and implications of this new partnership.

This statement from Ousmane Sonko comes in the wake of a new agreement between the IMF and Senegal, outlining a loan program valued at over $2 billion, which translates to approximately 1.245 trillion CFA francs, designed to bolster Dakar’s economic framework. Sonko, who notably exposed a ‘hidden debt’ in 2024 that resulted in the suspension of Senegal’s IMF program, is once again taking a firm stance on financial transparency.

Ousmane Sonko remarked: «We have closely followed the sequential announcements from both the IMF and the government of Senegal concerning a technical accord, which will only become definitive upon later approval by the Fund’s executive board.»

He emphasized that the diplomatic language employed by both parties has failed to provide any concrete details about this proposed agreement or the specific commitments undertaken by Senegal, as alluded to in the IMF’s communiqué.
Sonko then raised several pointed questions:
  • What are Senegal’s precise commitments regarding its «debt treatment»?
  • What are the primary reforms envisioned (including the viability of public finances, safeguarding vulnerable households, mobilizing domestic resources, rationalizing expenditures, social safety nets, supervision of public enterprises, and enhancing the business environment)?
  • What is the current status of the internationally mandated debt audits?
These significant commitments, he stressed, directly impact all Senegalese citizens, in whose name they are made, and who will ultimately bear the present and future financial burden.
Having participated in these discussions for many months and being aware of certain directions that risk perpetuating past mistakes, I demand absolute transparency.
Considering that negotiations of this nature typically conclude with a draft document, known as the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, which requires validation from both parties, I formally request that the government of Senegal:
  • Publish this memorandum to ensure accurate public information and to foster a robust debate on Senegal’s commitments;
  • Alternatively, submit it to the National Assembly, as the legitimate representation of the people.
In any event, the overarching principles of these commitments will be integrated into a potential supplementary finance law or the draft finance bill for 2027, which is scheduled for submission to the National Assembly in October 2026.
The debate, he concluded, will undoubtedly proceed!

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