Senegal modifies patrimoine declaration law amid transparency push

• The Senegalese National Assembly has proposed two bills aimed at increasing transparency in government finances.
• One bill seeks to regulate 'black boxes' used by authorities without oversight, while the other modifies Article 37 of the Constitution regarding the president's asset declaration.
• A parliamentary commission will investigate alleged irregularities in the 'Un étudiant, un ordinateur' program markets.

The proposed legislative changes have significant implications for asset disclosure and transparency in Senegalese politics.

The National Assembly of Senegal has initiated a series of legislative reforms aimed at increasing transparency in government finances, particularly with regards to the presidency's funds. Two bills have been proposed: one to regulate 'black boxes' used by authorities without oversight and another to modify Article 37 of the Constitution regarding the president's asset declaration. The Bureau of the National Assembly reviewed and deemed these texts admissible during meetings on July 17 and 23, according to RFI Afrique. A public statement released on July 24 announced the creation of parliamentary investigative commissions. One commission will focus on alleged irregularities in the 'Un étudiant, un ordinateur' program markets managed by the Ministry of Higher Education.

This move comes amidst a deteriorating climate between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, who was dismissed as Prime Minister in May. The question of financial transparency had already been at the forefront of a constitutional revision adopted in June, which included mandatory asset declarations at the end of a term and prohibited the president from leading a political party. However, Diomaye Faye opposed these measures despite previously supporting them. On June 20, Forum des justiciables President Babacar Ba demanded publication of the presidential opinion on this reform, highlighting an unsettling silence since then.

The proposed legislative changes have significant implications for asset disclosure and transparency in Senegalese politics. The president's finances are a key area of concern, given the presidency's special funds and the recent creation of parliamentary investigative commissions. This development is part of a broader push for greater transparency, which has been met with resistance from some quarters. As the National Assembly moves forward with these reforms, it will be crucial to maintain objectivity and diligence in investigations to avoid politicization.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential implications of these legislative changes on asset disclosure and transparency in Senegalese politics, particularly with regards to the presidency's finances.

Source: Original reporting via RFI Afrique