The era of theatrical political maneuvering and rally slogans has unequivocally ended. Senegal now faces a moment of profound national reckoning. As a national delegate for political life within Guem Sa Bopp, I refuse to be a silent observer to the economic, social, and reputational self-destruction that Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is inflicting upon our Republic.

What this administration desperately attempts to portray as a “transparency operation” concerning a supposed hidden debt is, in reality, the most significant reputational heist and gravest financial blunder in independent Senegal’s history. Driven by deep political resentment and a visceral need to demonize his predecessors, Ousmane Sonko has chosen to sacrifice Senegal’s international standing on the altar of global markets. By dramatizing unconsolidated figures before any legal validation, he has not audited the past; he has jeopardized the nation’s future.

Listening to him casually disclose such sensitive data, one might almost seek a cynical excuse for his actions. Perhaps, for a fleeting moment, he believed he was merely offering an opinion as a political party leader without the full reins of power. Did he imagine himself still on a neighborhood rally stage, haranguing an adoring crowd, tragically forgetting that he is no longer an irresponsible opposition figure but the Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal? This ‘eternal opposition’ mindset, rendering him incapable of assuming the mantle of a statesman, has led him to commit irreparable damage. When one wields the levers of state power, every word carries billions in weight. His apparent lack of financial acumen has turned his pronouncements into the most potent weapon of mass destruction against our economy.

The credibility of Senegal has been severely undermined. A deep animosity towards the national brand is evident.

For decades, through successive democratic transitions, our nation painstakingly earned its international credibility through impeccable financial diplomacy and a respected sovereign signature. In a single press conference, fueled by resentment, Ousmane Sonko has trampled this sacred legacy.

To declare before international cameras that the Senegalese state lied about its accounts constitutes an act of hostility against the vital interests of the homeland. No responsible leader would deliberately destroy their own country’s credit. To inflict harm upon his former adversaries, he has instead chosen to sink present-day Senegal.

This signal of panic has triggered sanctions from international rating agencies. By downgrading Senegal’s profile, Ousmane Sonko has made access to capital more challenging and weakened the country’s attractiveness for investors.

The macroeconomic catastrophe is unfolding, revealing state amateurism through stark figures.

Political recklessness carries a steep price. Current indicators paint a terrifying picture for our national sovereignty.

Growth forecasts have been significantly revised downwards, plummeting from 6.7% to 2.2%. More than four points of national wealth have evaporated due to disastrous government communication.

The suspension of the $1.8 billion program with the IMF has plunged Senegal into an unprecedented crisis of confidence.

To bridge the financial void he himself created, the government is now resorting to more costly and riskier borrowing mechanisms. This is the stark reality behind the promises of a new beginning.

The suffocation of the real economy is evident, with businesses struggling, investments dwindling, and mass unemployment on the rise.

At Guem Sa Bopp, we champion hard work, private initiative, and the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs. Yet, the real economy now lies prostrate.

Business creation has plummeted by over 30%. Fear and uncertainty have paralyzed investment and stifled entrepreneurial spirit.

The freeze on domestic debt payments has strangled Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), artisans, and construction companies. Lacking treasury, layoffs are proliferating. In a context where unemployment hovers near 23%, thousands of Senegalese are losing their jobs and their dignity.

Even the academic sector is not spared. Universities and training institutes bear the brunt of a budgetary policy that sacrifices the future of our youth.

The social ordeal and regional decline are undeniable, with the National Unique Register (RNU) delivering an unequivocal verdict.

Behind these statistics lies the suffering of countless families.

Data from the National Unique Register reveals an alarming increase in social vulnerability and poverty. A growing number of households are falling into precariousness.

Debt service now stands at an staggering 5,500 billion FCFA. This situation severely constrains the state’s maneuvering room and heavily impacts the cost of living.

Jambaars, rise up.

It is time for the Senegalese people to open their eyes. The narrative of a hidden debt has become a convenient pretext to mask the absence of tangible results. Faced with their inability to fulfill promises, the current leaders govern by constantly looking in the rearview mirror.

A great nation cannot be governed by resentment, conspiracy theories, and political spectacle. Senegal deserves better than perpetual improvisation.

Confronted with unemployment approaching 23%, a more than 30% drop in business creations, and rising poverty, the Senegalese must fully comprehend the consequences of this governance.

The Jambaars of Guem Sa Bopp stand today to advocate for rigor against amateurism, economic patriotism against sabotage, and the national interest against political calculations.