In a bold parliamentary intervention, Deputy Guy Marius Sagna of the Pastef party has disclosed the amounts received by Ousmane Sonko under political funds during his tenure as Prime Minister. According to the legislator, these funds totaled 1.7 billion CFA francs, disbursed without any institutional oversight—a revelation that has thrust the President of the National Assembly into the center of a heated debate over the management of political finances in Senegal.

Controversial allocations and lack of transparency

The sums highlighted by Guy Marius Sagna fall within the legal framework, as the mechanism for political funds is formally recognized in Senegalese law. However, the lawmaker emphasized that these allocations operate entirely outside institutional scrutiny, mirroring the opaque financial practices attributed to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who, according to the same revelations, controls over 8 billion CFA francs. These funds are reportedly distributed across political coffers, secret accounts, special reserves, and sovereign wealth mechanisms.

Contradictions fuel criticism

The contrast between the amounts received by Ousmane Sonko and his public stance on regulating political funds has drawn sharp criticism from Guy Marius Sagna. The deputy accuses the President of a breach of trust, highlighting what he describes as a stark contradiction: while Sonko continues to advocate for stricter oversight of all political funds—a position he maintained even in opposition—his own financial dealings remain unchecked. “This is the sorcery of certain politicians,” Sagna remarked sarcastically on social media, questioning the integrity of those who preach transparency yet operate in the shadows.

The debate underscores growing concerns about financial opacity in Senegalese politics, with stakeholders and citizens alike questioning the consistency between rhetoric and reality in governance.