Senegal politics: Abdourahmane Diouf questions vehicle purchases under Sonko

In a fresh twist to the ongoing debate over political fund management in Senegal, Minister Abdourahmane Diouf has raised serious concerns about vehicle acquisitions reportedly funded through state political resources during Ousmane Sonko’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Allegations of luxury vehicle purchases

Diouf, who previously served as Minister of Higher Education, shared his perspective on the matter, recounting a personal experience from his time in office. He described state-owned vehicles at the time as being in a state of disrepair, recalling a specific incident where his official car broke down en route to a Senegal national team match just days before a cabinet reshuffle. His blunt assessment? « All the cars were falling apart. »

Contradictions in procurement policies

According to Diouf, Sonko had issued strict directives prohibiting any new vehicle purchases during his premiership. Yet, the minister now claims that Sonko later authorized the acquisition of luxury vehicles—including Maybachs—totaling over 900 million FCFA in spending. The alleged purchases are said to have been financed using political funds, raising questions about compliance with state regulations.

Legal and administrative concerns

Diouf further argued that Senegalese administrative law does not permit the state to acquire used vehicles, suggesting that the cars in question may have been repossessed assets rather than new purchases. His remarks add fuel to the broader debate surrounding the transparency and accountability of political fund utilization in Senegal.

While Diouf’s statements highlight significant discrepancies in procurement practices, the exact nature of these vehicle acquisitions—including their value, origin, and acquisition methods—remains unverified pending a review of official financial and administrative records.