In a bold move to enhance accountability, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has reignited discussions around the rigorous regulation of political funds during a parliamentary session. Addressing lawmakers, Sonko emphasized the urgent need for transparent management of public resources allocated to political activities.

a long-standing commitment to transparency

Sonko reiterated that his party, Pastef, has long advocated for stricter controls over political financing. His stance sharply contrasts with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s perspective, who has previously defended the necessity of these funds for critical state functions such as national security and diplomatic engagements.

mechanisms for oversight, not abolition

The Prime Minister clarified that the goal isn’t to eliminate political funds entirely but to implement robust monitoring systems. « Every franc from the Senegalese people must be accounted for, » Sonko declared, stressing that transparency should be non-negotiable in public fund management.

Highlighting his own use of political funds at the Prime Minister’s office—estimated at nearly 1.77 billion CFA francs—Sonko underscored that his proposal isn’t a personal attack but a call for systemic integrity. He also acknowledged the philosophical divide with the President, who has cited sensitive expenditures like intelligence operations and international commitments as justification for retaining these funds.

international benchmarks for inspiration

Drawing parallels with Western nations, Sonko pointed out that many democracies enforce institutional checks on political financing. As an example, he referenced a dedicated commission in France that oversees the allocation and expenditure of special funds, ensuring compliance with transparency standards.

Sonko’s push for parliamentary intervention follows a legislative initiative led by Deputy Guy Marius Sagna. While the Prime Minister acknowledged exchanges with the President on this matter, he cautioned that parliamentary intervention could pose a political setback for the administration.