The Managing Director of Senegal’s State Property Management and Exploitation Company (SOGEPA), Elimane Pouye, has strongly contested the claim that former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was the first and only government official to receive political funds. In a detailed response published today, he argues that the assertion lacks factual basis and fails to account for historical budgetary practices within the Prime Minister’s Office.

Pouye emphasizes that the debate must move beyond anecdotal accusations and focus instead on verifiable budgetary records. He highlights that the allocations in question have been consistently reflected in the Prime Minister’s annual budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025, with variations primarily linked to institutional restructuring rather than exclusivity. According to him, the real novelty lies not in the existence of these funds but in their public acknowledgment by Sonko and the subsequent transparency around their usage.

The SOGEPA chief raises a critical question: if political funds have existed in prior budgets, why have previous Prime Ministers not been as transparent about their use? He calls for a shift in focus from political point-scoring to genuine accountability, urging that discussions on public funds must be grounded in evidence rather than conjecture.

Pouye also points out that both the parliamentary majority and the Head of State have publicly addressed this issue, advocating for a structured, evidence-based debate. He warns against attempts to revive old divisions or distract from the core issue of financial transparency, stressing that a robust democratic process requires factual rigor over sensationalism.

In concluding, he reaffirms his commitment to fostering a culture of accountability in Senegal’s public finances, while dismissing what he describes as politically motivated attempts to undermine the integrity of the debate.