Senegal’s political funding debate: Diouf calls for transparency
Abdourahmane Diouf, a prominent political figure, has extensively addressed the contentious issue surrounding the management of political funds and allocated credits within the Primature during Ousmane Sonko’s tenure. These remarks come amidst a dynamic political landscape, notably marked by Diouf’s recent political alignment, where he officially dissolved his Awalé party to integrate into Kiiraay. This new political entity was inaugurated on July 25 in Dakar by the President of the Republic, emerging from the unification of 437 parties and movements that previously formed the Diomaye President coalition.
Delving into the financial resources made available to Ousmane Sonko, Abdourahmane Diouf recounted the figures he had previously cited upon assuming his role at the Primature. “He declared that he had 1.77 billion CFA francs at his disposal each quarter,” Diouf underscored. Expanding on his assessment of how these funds were utilized, he added, “What I know is that after exhausting these 1.77 billion CFA francs, he even requested additional funding… This indicates that the initial allocation was deemed insufficient.”
In light of these budgetary decisions, particularly after the former Prime Minister himself disclosed this sum to parliamentarians on May 22, mere hours before his dismissal, the former head of the Awalé party expressed his strong support for a public and exemplary accountability process. “My wish was for a parliamentary inquiry commission to be established, with all television and radio stations present to broadcast, so he could explain precisely where these funds were channeled,” Diouf asserted.
When questioned about the differing governance styles and public stances between Ousmane Sonko and the Head of State, Abdourahmane Diouf commended the transformative approach introduced by the latter. “Every Senegalese citizen is aware that the President of the Republic commands political funds. Every Senegalese knows the precise amount of these political funds; it is not a secret,” he stated unequivocally. According to Diouf, the true progress lies in dismantling the long-standing dogma of opacity that previously shrouded the use of these credits.
“President Diomaye deserves credit for publicly declaring before all Senegalese: ‘The political funds are here, and I will utilize them in such and such a manner,'” Diouf observed, affirming the complete legitimacy of this transparent methodology. Abdourahmane Diouf concluded by stressing that this stance signifies a pivotal institutional shift: “We are therefore operating with the utmost transparency in the execution of a budget approved by the National Assembly. No one can claim that these funds were misused.”
Delving into the financial resources made available to Ousmane Sonko, Abdourahmane Diouf recounted the figures he had previously cited upon assuming his role at the Primature. “He declared that he had 1.77 billion CFA francs at his disposal each quarter,” Diouf underscored. Expanding on his assessment of how these funds were utilized, he added, “What I know is that after exhausting these 1.77 billion CFA francs, he even requested additional funding… This indicates that the initial allocation was deemed insufficient.”
In light of these budgetary decisions, particularly after the former Prime Minister himself disclosed this sum to parliamentarians on May 22, mere hours before his dismissal, the former head of the Awalé party expressed his strong support for a public and exemplary accountability process. “My wish was for a parliamentary inquiry commission to be established, with all television and radio stations present to broadcast, so he could explain precisely where these funds were channeled,” Diouf asserted.
When questioned about the differing governance styles and public stances between Ousmane Sonko and the Head of State, Abdourahmane Diouf commended the transformative approach introduced by the latter. “Every Senegalese citizen is aware that the President of the Republic commands political funds. Every Senegalese knows the precise amount of these political funds; it is not a secret,” he stated unequivocally. According to Diouf, the true progress lies in dismantling the long-standing dogma of opacity that previously shrouded the use of these credits.
“President Diomaye deserves credit for publicly declaring before all Senegalese: ‘The political funds are here, and I will utilize them in such and such a manner,'” Diouf observed, affirming the complete legitimacy of this transparent methodology. Abdourahmane Diouf concluded by stressing that this stance signifies a pivotal institutional shift: “We are therefore operating with the utmost transparency in the execution of a budget approved by the National Assembly. No one can claim that these funds were misused.”