Sénégal Assembly: Double Declaration of Patrimoine Adopted

• The Sénégal Assembly has approved a constitutional amendment introducing a double declaration of patrimoine.
• Public officials, including the President and Prime Minister, must submit two declarations: one at the beginning and another at the end of their term.
• The Constitutional Council will publish the declarations, increasing transparency and accountability in politics.
• This move is part of the government's efforts to prevent corruption and promote good governance.

The double declaration of patrimoine is a key component of the government's transparency and accountability agenda.

The Sénégal Assembly has approved a constitutional amendment that introduces a double declaration of patrimoine. The new law requires public officials, including the President, Prime Minister, and Assembly Speaker, to submit two declarations: one at the beginning and another at the end of their term. This move is part of the government's efforts to increase transparency and accountability in politics. The amendment was passed with 133 votes in favor out of 135 cast, but opposition lawmakers had criticized it as a political vendetta against Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was then an opposition figure.

The double declaration of patrimoine is a key component of the government's transparency and accountability agenda. The move is seen as an attempt to prevent public officials from hiding their assets or accumulating wealth during their term in office. The Constitutional Council will be responsible for publishing the declarations, which will provide citizens with valuable information about the financial dealings of their leaders. This development has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on compliance obligations related to transparency and disclosure requirements.

The adoption of the double declaration of patrimoine is a major step towards increasing transparency in Sénégal's politics. By requiring public officials to disclose their assets twice during their term, the government aims to prevent corruption and promote accountability. This move also sets a precedent for other countries in the region, demonstrating the importance of transparency and good governance in African democracies. Lawyers should closely monitor this development, as it may have far-reaching implications for clients' compliance obligations.

Lawyers should watch for the potential impact of this new double declaration of patrimoine on their clients' compliance obligations, particularly with regards to transparency and disclosure requirements.

Source: Original reporting via RFI Afrique