Controversy over illegal ties between Branco and Sonko
A fresh controversy has erupted in Senegal, igniting debates over legality, ethics, and political alliances. At the heart of the storm lies a leaked letter from Juan Branco, a French lawyer and essayist, addressed to Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s former Prime Minister. The correspondence, dated February 4, 2025, outlines five key demands, each fraught with legal and political implications.
Legal pressure and sovereignty disputes
Branco’s first request revolves around a Spanish judge’s rogatory commission concerning his alleged abduction in Mauritania. He urges Sonko to influence Senegalese judicial authorities to expedite cooperation, while questioning the integrity of Senegal’s legal sovereignty by hinting at undue French influence in the case’s handling.
Access to classified intelligence documents
In a second demand, Branco seeks access to classified intelligence files from Senegal’s security services, particularly those from the Macky Sall administration. These documents allegedly involve alleged cooperation with French intelligence agencies. Branco claims he faces a coordinated smear campaign in France, citing a 2023 incident where he believes Senegalese agents were involved in a kompromat attempt ahead of a critical hearing in Senegal. His request for such classified material raises serious concerns: it could breach national defense secrecy (Articles 61 and following of Senegal’s Penal Code), violate professional confidentiality (Article 371), and constitute an offense for disclosing non-public information.
Judicial intervention and financial implications
Branco’s third demand targets the France-ICC case concerning alleged crimes against humanity involving former President Macky Sall. He pressures Sonko to take direct action, including financial support, to advance the case. This request, however, exposes both men to severe legal and political repercussions. Soliciting classified intelligence files without a judge’s requisition could be seen as inciting violations of national defense secrecy and professional confidentiality—offenses punishable under Senegalese law. Branco’s insistence on public or partisan funding (via the PASTEF party) for private prosecutions in France, especially when Senegal is not a civil party, risks public fund embezzlement or misuse of political finances. By bypassing official judicial channels in favor of a politically driven arrangement, the integrity of international legal processes is undermined, transforming a pursuit of justice into a series of potential criminal offenses.
Diplomatic ambitions and citizenship maneuvers
Branco’s fourth point revisits his long-standing ambition to represent Senegal at the United Nations in New York. He asserts that such a role would align with the new government’s sovereignist and Pan-Africanist vision. However, upon learning another diplomat had been appointed, he pivots to a new demand: obtaining Senegalese citizenship through presidential prerogative. This would allow him to join the Senegalese Bar and teach at Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar. His request highlights attempts to bypass established rules governing nationality, legal professions, and academic institutions. His past insistence on representing Senegal at the UN also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and geopolitical interference due to his French nationality. This shift underscores a strained relationship with Sonko, evolving from ideological collaboration to one of calculated demands for influence and recognition.
Financial transparency and transactional relations
In his final point, Branco addresses financial matters. He claims to have received €15,000 in fees between 2023 and 2025, including €2,000 in reimbursements from Senegalese lawyer Maître Bamba Cissé for a trip to Dakar. He argues these funds covered travel, operational expenses, and staff salaries linked to a “representation mandate” from Sonko’s camp. Branco contends the amount is insufficient given his physical sacrifices—abduction, detention, and ongoing legal battles in France. This financial disclosure, however, reveals a troubling lack of transparency. By accepting funds outside formal state contracts and without proper invoicing or capital flow traceability, Branco’s dealings risk violating public fund management laws. What began as an ideological alliance now appears to have devolved into a transactional relationship, where activism is measured in euros and political favors are bartered for influence.
