In a rare public declaration, former Minister Abdourahmane Diouf has shed light on the financial management of political funds and state credits allocated to the Prime Minister’s office during Ousmane Sonko‘s tenure. The remarks come at a pivotal moment in Senegal’s political landscape, following the recent merger of Ousmane Sonko‘s party Awalé into the newly formed Kiiraay party, launched on July 25 in Dakar. This union resulted from the integration of 437 parties and movements from the former Diomaye Président coalition.
Controversial spending and demands for additional funds
During his address, Abdourahmane Diouf revisited the financial figures disclosed by Ousmane Sonko upon assuming office. He recalled Sonko’s statement that he had access to 1.77 billion CFA francs per quarter. However, Diouf pointed out a critical inconsistency: Sonko reportedly requested additional funds after exhausting this allocation, suggesting the original amount was inadequate for his needs.
The former minister did not mince words, emphasizing that these financial decisions occurred just hours before Sonko’s removal from office. He called for a thorough and transparent public audit to uncover how these funds were utilized. Abdourahmane Diouf proposed establishing a parliamentary commission of inquiry, with live broadcasts across television and radio networks, to ensure full accountability.
Contrasting governance under President Diomaye Faye
When questioned about the stark differences in financial transparency between Ousmane Sonko and President Diomaye Faye, Diouf praised the latter’s approach. He noted that while the existence of political funds has always been known to Senegalese citizens, their allocation and usage were historically shrouded in secrecy.
Abdourahmane Diouf highlighted President Faye’s commitment to breaking this cycle of opacity. He pointed out that the President publicly declared the existence of these funds and outlined their intended use, marking a significant departure from past practices. Diouf emphasized that this transparency ensures no misappropriation can occur without public scrutiny.
He concluded by stating that the current administration’s approach represents a major institutional shift: “We are now operating in an environment of complete transparency, where every franc allocated by the National Assembly is accounted for. No one can claim to have misused these funds.”
