Ousmane Sonko demands transparency on Senegal’s new IMF agreement

Ousmane Sonko, the esteemed former Prime Minister and current President of Senegal’s National Assembly, has publicly shared his definitive stance on the recently forged agreement between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Senegalese government. Through a post on his official Facebook page, the parliamentary leader announced that a thorough debate would be initiated to scrutinize the full scope and implications of this renewed collaboration.

This declaration follows the announcement of a new IMF-Senegal accord, which includes a loan package exceeding $2 billion, or approximately 1,245 billion CFA francs, designed to bolster Dakar’s economic framework. Sonko’s intervention carries particular weight, as he was instrumental in revealing the existence of a ‘hidden debt’ that led to the suspension of a prior IMF program for Senegal in 2024. He is now once again challenging the details of international financial cooperation.

Ousmane Sonko stated: «We have observed the sequential announcements from both the IMF and the Senegalese government regarding a technical agreement. This accord will only gain final approval once it is ratified by the Fund’s Executive Board.»

«However, the diplomatic language employed by both entities fails to provide concrete information on the specifics of this proposed agreement, nor on Senegal’s commitments as outlined in the IMF’s communiqué,» he pointed out. Sonko then raised several critical inquiries:

What are Senegal’s precise commitments regarding the ‘treatment of its debt’?
What principal reforms are planned, specifically concerning the sustainability of public finances, safeguards for vulnerable households, domestic resource mobilization, expenditure rationalization, social safety nets, oversight of public enterprises, and the overall business environment?
What is the current status of the international debt audits that were previously demanded?

«These are all significant commitments that concern every Senegalese citizen, as they are undertaken on their behalf and will inevitably bear the current and future financial implications,» Sonko asserted.

Drawing upon his direct involvement in these discussions over many months and his understanding of certain directions that, in his view, merely echo past missteps, Sonko is now advocating for absolute transparency.

Considering that such negotiations typically conclude with a draft document, known as a memorandum of economic and financial policies, which requires validation from both parties, Sonko has formally requested that the government of Senegal:

Release this memorandum to ensure accurate public understanding and foster a constructive national debate on Senegal’s obligations;
Alternatively, submit the document directly to the National Assembly, as the legitimate representative body of the people.

«Regardless, the fundamental principles of these commitments will be incorporated into a potential supplementary finance law or within the proposed finance bill for the year 2027, which is scheduled for submission to the National Assembly in October 2026,» he concluded.

«And the debate will unequivocally proceed!» he affirmed.