Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has voiced his deep irritation regarding the handling of judicial files related to public accountability. During an interministerial council meeting focused on national infrastructure this Thursday, the head of government took the opportunity to directly challenge the slow pace of legal proceedings.
While the Minister of Justice, Yassine Fall, was presenting a report on infrastructure deficits and irregularities found in various construction projects, Ousmane Sonko interrupted to question the effectiveness of the current judicial process. He expressed serious doubts about whether the government’s efforts were yielding any real results if no one is being held legally responsible.
Criticism of a protected system
The Prime Minister did not hold back, suggesting that a culture of impunity still lingers in the country. He noted that individuals have been able to act without restraint, wasting billions of public funds without facing any legal consequences. According to him, the old system remains largely intact, protecting those who have mismanaged national resources.
Ousmane Sonko reminded the Minister of Justice that their administration was elected specifically to establish responsibility and ensure transparency. He argued that it is illogical to ask the people of Sénégal to provide more funding for infrastructure projects that have already been paid for, while those who embezzled the original funds remain free. For the Prime Minister, this lack of action undermines the government’s credibility with the public.
Suspicions of judicial sabotage
The discussion also touched upon scandals within the judiciary itself. Ousmane Sonko questioned how the ministry could effectively process these files if the justice system is itself compromised. He insisted that the government’s approach must remain coherent to maintain the trust of the Senegalese people.
The response from Yassine Fall
Minister Yassine Fall responded by assuring the Prime Minister that her department is fully committed to ensuring that those at fault answer for their actions. Despite significant structural obstacles, she promised that the ministry is working toward achieving results that will satisfy the public’s demand for justice.
However, Ousmane Sonko remained firm. While he supports the renegotiation of contracts to build new facilities, such as prisons, he emphasized that this does not replace the need for legal sanctions. He stated that responsibilities must be clearly defined for both former and current officials, including ministers and directors-general. He even went as far as to mention the possibility of “judicial sabotage” hindering progress.
Moving forward, the Prime Minister has requested a detailed status report on every pending case so that they can be addressed publicly. He concluded by asserting that these judicial files do not belong to individual magistrates, the Prime Minister, or the President, but to the entire population of Sénégal. He warned that the government would take a firmer stance if the lack of progress continues.
