Asset disclosure is once again emerging as a pivotal test of credibility for Senegal’s executive branch. Reports from Dakar indicate that numerous government ministers are reportedly failing to meet this legal obligation, despite transparency in personal wealth being a core commitment of the Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko administration since their assumption of power in April 2024. This issue extends beyond mere administrative formality, directly challenging the consistency of the official discourse.

The Senegalese framework, established by the 2014 law creating the National Office for Combating Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC), mandates a specific range of high-ranking public officials to submit a detailed statement of their assets upon assuming office and again upon the cessation of their duties. This requirement applies to the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, ministers, heads of institutions, and credit administrators overseeing funds exceeding one billion CFA francs.

Strict legal requirements for asset disclosure

The legislation is unambiguous regarding the timeline. Those subject to the law have a three-month window following their appointment to submit their declaration to OFNAC. Beyond this period, their compliance becomes legally questionable. According to information reported by the Senegalese press, several members of the government, reorganized in autumn 2024, are now reportedly in breach of these regulations.

This failure is far from trivial. The law stipulates that in cases of non-submission, OFNAC must issue a formal notice to the delinquent official. Should the silence persist, the institution can pursue legal action, and the failure to declare assets can expose the individual to sanctions, including salary suspension and, if applicable, criminal prosecution. The mechanism is designed to be a deterrent, though its actual effectiveness has long been debated.

A crucial political test for the ruling administration

The stakes are particularly high given that the fight against illicit enrichment and the demand for accountability were central to Pastef’s victorious campaign. The new government has initiated several proceedings against former dignitaries of the Macky Sall regime, specifically utilizing the tools of OFNAC and the financial prosecutor’s office. Discovering current non-compliance within the new government would undoubtedly undermine the moral authority claimed by the authorities.

OFNAC, now headed by a magistrate following its restructuring, theoretically possesses the necessary powers to activate the procedure. The remaining question is the political will to see it through, especially within a context where the institution’s successive reports have consistently highlighted a low rate of compliance among those subject to the law, even under previous administrations. The last public report noted hundreds of expected declarations, a significant portion of which were never submitted.

Asset transparency: a broader West African initiative

The debate unfolding in Senegal is part of a wider West African trend. Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, and Burkina Faso have all adopted similar mechanisms in recent years, driven by ECOWAS and African Union protocols aimed at preventing corruption. However, the performance of member states remains inconsistent, with practical application often hindered by administrative resistance and a lack of genuine public access to declarations.

In Dakar, various civil society voices, including the Forum Civil (the Senegalese chapter of Transparency International), have long advocated for the full publication of asset declarations, mirroring models adopted in some European democracies. This demand, however, conflicts with the confidentiality principle enshrined in Senegalese law, which restricts access solely to authorized authorities and imposes criminal penalties for any unauthorized disclosure.

Nevertheless, the current situation presents the government with a clear challenge. Either the affected ministers promptly regularize their status, closing the incident, or OFNAC activates its procedures, initiating a politically costly sequence for an administration that has championed exemplary conduct as a core principle. The credibility of the anti-corruption agenda hinges on such decisive signals.

Further reading on related topics

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