Abdourahmane Diouf calls for accountability on political funds in Senegal
The minister extensively addressed the contentious issue surrounding the management of political funds and the budget allocated to the Primature during Ousmane Sonko’s tenure. This public declaration emerges amidst a dynamic political landscape, notably marked by the recent decision of the prominent political figure to disband his Awalé party and integrate it into Kiiraay. This new political entity was officially inaugurated on July 25 in Dakar by the President of the Republic, resulting from the amalgamation of 437 parties and movements that previously formed the Diomaye Président coalition.
Delving into the financial resources made available to Ousmane Sonko, Abdourahmane Diouf reiterated the figures initially disclosed upon Sonko’s assumption of duties at the Primature. He underscored, « He stated he had 1 billion 770 million CFA francs at his disposal each quarter. » Continuing his analysis of how these funds were utilized, Diouf added, « What I know is that after exhausting these 1 billion 770 million CFA francs, he even requested an additional allocation… This clearly indicates it was not sufficient. »
In light of these budgetary decisions, particularly after the former Prime Minister revealed this sum to deputies on May 22, just hours before his dismissal, the leader of the former Awalé party expressed strong support for a public and exemplary rendering of accounts. « My desire was for a parliamentary inquiry commission to be established, with all television and radio stations present to film, so he could explain precisely where this money was invested, » he asserted.
When questioned about the distinct approaches to governance and leadership between Ousmane Sonko and the Head of State, Abdourahmane Diouf commended the transformative shift introduced by the latter. « Every Senegalese citizen is aware that the President of the Republic commands political funds. Furthermore, the exact amount of these political funds is common knowledge; it is not a secret, » he immediately clarified. According to Diouf, the true progress lies in dismantling the long-standing opacity that previously shrouded the utilization of these allocations.
« 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 noted, affirming the complete legitimacy of this transparent approach. Abdourahmane Diouf concluded by stating that this stance signifies a pivotal institutional evolution: « We are therefore operating with complete 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 reiterated the figures initially disclosed upon Sonko’s assumption of duties at the Primature. He underscored, « He stated he had 1 billion 770 million CFA francs at his disposal each quarter. » Continuing his analysis of how these funds were utilized, Diouf added, « What I know is that after exhausting these 1 billion 770 million CFA francs, he even requested an additional allocation… This clearly indicates it was not sufficient. »
In light of these budgetary decisions, particularly after the former Prime Minister revealed this sum to deputies on May 22, just hours before his dismissal, the leader of the former Awalé party expressed strong support for a public and exemplary rendering of accounts. « My desire was for a parliamentary inquiry commission to be established, with all television and radio stations present to film, so he could explain precisely where this money was invested, » he asserted.
When questioned about the distinct approaches to governance and leadership between Ousmane Sonko and the Head of State, Abdourahmane Diouf commended the transformative shift introduced by the latter. « Every Senegalese citizen is aware that the President of the Republic commands political funds. Furthermore, the exact amount of these political funds is common knowledge; it is not a secret, » he immediately clarified. According to Diouf, the true progress lies in dismantling the long-standing opacity that previously shrouded the utilization of these allocations.
« 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 noted, affirming the complete legitimacy of this transparent approach. Abdourahmane Diouf concluded by stating that this stance signifies a pivotal institutional evolution: « We are therefore operating with complete transparency in the execution of a budget approved by the National Assembly. No one can claim that these funds were misused. »
