Senegal’s prime minister challenges presidential stance on political funds oversight

The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, publicly challenged the President’s handling of political funds during a parliamentary session on May 22, 2026. Speaking before lawmakers during a debate on current affairs, Sonko declared, ‘The President made a mistake in this matter,’ adding, ‘I fundamentally disagree with his approach.’

Sonko’s remarks, delivered at the National Assembly, underscored a growing divide between the executive and legislative branches over financial transparency. His comments came as he emphasized the need for stricter oversight of state funds allocated to political activities, a stance aligned with his party’s long-standing advocacy for accountability.

a call for accountability in political financing

During his address, Sonko traced his party’s persistent demand for transparency back to 2014, when the issue first entered public discourse. ‘In 2019, this demand was part of our election manifesto, and by 2024, little had changed,’ he noted. The Prime Minister stressed that his administration had pledged to ensure no public funds would flow into political operations without proper checks and balances.

Contrary to misconceptions, Sonko clarified that his position does not advocate for the elimination of these special funds. Instead, he proposed adopting a regulatory framework inspired by systems in place in France, where such resources are subject to rigorous supervision. ‘Our goal is not to abolish these funds but to subject them to transparency,’ he insisted.

rebuffing claims of fund centralization

Addressing rumors suggesting a potential transfer of these funds to the Prime Minister’s office, Sonko dismissed the speculation outright. He pointed out that his administration already manages a dedicated fund exceeding one billion West African CFA francs. For Sonko, the core issue lies in restoring public trust through transparent governance. ‘Citizens have long suspected these funds are used to curry favor with political allies,’ he observed, vowing that ‘every franc must be accounted for.’