Sénégal's Guy Marius Sagna Condemns Political Funds, Demands Transparency

• The Sénégal government has maintained political funds and special credits despite controversy surrounding their use.
• Guy Marius Sagna proposed a law to enclose these credits in September 2025, but it was reviewed and improved upon by Ousmane Sonko until May 2026.
• President Macky Sall is accused of wanting to preserve benefits inherited from his regime through the continued use of these funds.
• The practice has been documented to involve significant financial irregularities, including 48 billion FCFA taken directly from the Treasury without regularization.

A 2008-2012 report from the Inspection Générale d'État documented 108 billion FCFA in expenses, with 48 billion taken directly from the Treasury without regularization.

A recent commission meeting in Sénégal's parliament saw heated exchanges over the government's justification for maintaining political funds and special credits. According to Guy Marius Sagna, a deputy from the Pastef parliamentary group, the government claimed it needed these funds to 'make politics' and 'support ministers.' This explanation comes amidst controversy surrounding the project. Sagna also rejected accusations that the law aimed to target President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

A video published on YouTube shows Sagna addressing these concerns. The issue extends beyond the current institutional dispute, however. Under Abdou Diouf's presidency, political funds were capped at 650 million FCFA per year. During Abdoulaye Wade's tenure, the theoretical annual amount increased to 8 billion FCFA, while actual expenditures skyrocketed.

A 2008-2012 report from the Inspection Générale d'État documented 108 billion FCFA in expenses, with 48 billion taken directly from the Treasury without regularization.

The Sénégal government's continued use of political funds and special credits raises concerns about non-compliance with financial transparency laws. This could lead to sanctions for both institutions and businesses involved. In contrast, several major global powers strictly regulate such funds.

Guy Marius Sagna has proposed a law to enclose these credits, including the creation of a verification commission. He submitted this proposal in September 2025, which Ousmane Sonko, who served as Prime Minister until May 2026 and is currently the President of the National Assembly, reviewed and improved upon until May 2026. Sagna accused President Macky Sall of wanting to preserve benefits inherited from his regime.

The Sénégal government's handling of political funds and special credits puts the promise of transparency by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at odds with a documented practice. In a country facing significant budgetary tensions, maintaining these credits could have severe consequences for institutions and businesses involved.

Sagna also highlighted the discrepancy between Sénégal's approach and that of other major global powers, which strictly regulate such funds.

Le maintien de fonds politiques sans régularisation en Sénégal expose les entreprises et institutions à des risques de non-conformité avec les lois sur la transparence financière, ce qui pourrait entraîner des sanctions.

Source: Original reporting via dakaractu