Aminata Touré Defends Senegal's Peace Fund Against Ousmane Sonko

• Aminata Touré, high representative of the President of Senegal, responded to allegations made by Ousmane Sonko, the current Prime Minister of Senegal, regarding the management of the peace fund in Casamance.
• Touré accused Sonko of misusing the fund, citing examples where he allegedly used 2 billion CFA francs in 2025 and 1.7 billion CFA francs in 2026 without justification.
• Sonko had previously accused the previous administration of misusing special funds, but Touré countered that he was being hypocritical given his own alleged misuse of the peace fund.
• The controversy has raised questions about transparency and accountability in government finances, with critics arguing that the use of special procedures can be used to circumvent normal accounting procedures.

Touré accused Sonko of misusing the fund, citing an example where he allegedly used 2 billion CFA francs in 2025 and 1.7 billion CFA francs in 2026 without justification.

Aminata Touré, the high representative of the President of Senegal, has responded to allegations made by Ousmane Sonko, the current Prime Minister of Senegal, regarding the management of the peace fund in Casamance. According to Touré, the fund is governed by the head of the administration and equipment service of the Prime Minister's office, and its functioning is similar to that of presidential funds. The controversy centers around the use of a special procedure for mobilizing state budget credits for the program, as well as the lack of justification for certain expenditures.

Touré accused Sonko of misusing the fund, citing an example where he allegedly used 2 billion CFA francs in 2025 and 1.7 billion CFA francs in 2026 without justification. She also claimed that Sonko had requested money from the President's office to pretend to be doing social work.

Sonko had previously accused the previous administration of misusing special funds, but Touré countered that he was being hypocritical given his own alleged misuse of the peace fund.

The controversy surrounding the peace fund in Casamance has raised questions about transparency and accountability in government finances. The fund's management is governed by Decree 2004-1186, which allows for a special procedure to mobilize state budget credits. However, critics argue that this procedure can be used to circumvent normal accounting procedures.

The use of the peace fund has been criticized for lacking transparency and justification, with some accusing Sonko of using it for personal gain. The controversy has also highlighted the need for greater oversight and accountability in government finances.

Decree 2004-1186 is a key piece of legislation governing the management of the peace fund, but its provisions have been criticized for being too vague and allowing for excessive discretion.

The controversy surrounding the peace fund in Casamance has significant implications for transparency and accountability in government finances. The use of special procedures to mobilize state budget credits can be seen as a way to circumvent normal accounting procedures, raising concerns about corruption and mismanagement.

The case also highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in government finances, particularly with regards to the management of special funds. It is essential that those responsible for managing these funds are held accountable for their actions and that transparency and justification are ensured.

The controversy has sparked a wider debate about good governance and the need for greater transparency and accountability in Senegalese politics.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential implications of this controversy on the transparency and accountability of government funds in Senegal, particularly with regards to the peace fund's management and use.

Source: Original reporting via L'État se met à nue !