The controversy surrounding Senegal’s political funds has ignited fierce discussions across television studios, Facebook, and social media platforms. Political leaders, former ministers, and parliamentarians are locked in a heated debate over the origins and use of discretionary funds allocated to the Prime Minister’s office. This debate unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension, as the National Assembly, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, convenes an extraordinary session to deliberate on a bill regulating special credits and secret funds, alongside laws on asset declarations, labor codes, and the establishment of six parliamentary inquiry commissions.
What sparked the debate
The exchange began when former Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, known for his outspoken views, asserted on SenTV that Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was the first to benefit from a dedicated political fund in his role: “He is the first head of government to receive such funds. I was never Prime Minister, but there are former Prime Ministers listening to me now—only Boun Abdallah Dionne, who has passed away, did not have access to these funds.” Ngouille Ndiaye further questioned the reported 1.7 billion FCFA allocation, highlighting inconsistencies in its frequency: “Some say it’s quarterly, others annually. If annual, Sonko’s total would be around 8 billion FCFA. Yet, the initial 1.7 billion was exhausted before any additional funding was requested.”
The former minister’s remarks, which echoed earlier claims by the Minister of Petroleum and Energy Abdourahmane Diouf, suggest that Sonko’s successor found an empty coffers. Ngouille Ndiaye called for transparency, urging Sonko to include his own case in the inquiry commissions, stating, “There are things I cannot say here, but they must be addressed.”
Former Prime Ministers push back
The minister’s statements triggered a wave of rebuttals, particularly from archival videos of former Prime Ministers contradicting his claims. Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye, the last Prime Minister under Abdoulaye Wade, revealed in a 2025 interview that political funds existed long before his tenure: “Even as Director of the President’s Cabinet, I received monthly political funds.” This assertion undermines Ngouille Ndiaye’s argument that Sonko pioneered the system.
Additional testimonies from former Prime Ministers Macky Sall and Idrissa Seck, who served under Wade, further corroborate the existence of such funds during their time. Social media users also recalled an instance where former President Abdoulaye Wade reportedly used presidential political funds to support his Prime Minister’s expenses.
Pastef’s response: baseless allegations
The ruling party, Pastef, dismissed Ngouille Ndiaye’s claims as “unfounded accusations.” Elimane Pouye, CEO of the State Property Management Company (SOGEPA SN), argued that budget comparisons from 2023 to 2025 show minimal changes, attributing variations to institutional shifts rather than new allocations. He stressed that the debate should focus on the transparency of public funds rather than amounts or frequency.
Party members also pointed out that Pastef has long advocated for reforming these funds, with transparency measures included in their 2019 election manifesto—long before Sonko’s premiership in 2024. This suggests the practice predates the current government.
How political funds have evolved
To understand the depth of this issue, one must examine its historical context. According to parliamentary reports, discretionary funds have grown significantly over successive regimes: approximately 650 million FCFA under Abdou Diouf’s presidency escalated to nearly 8 billion FCFA under Abdoulaye Wade. A 2008–2012 audit by State Inspectors General revealed that 108 billion FCFA in political funds were spent during Wade’s term, with 48 billion remaining unaccounted for in public records.
A notable case involved the National Local Development Program (PNDL), a 100 billion FCFA fund managed by the Prime Minister’s office. Investigations into former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck in 2004 uncovered irregularities, including potential illicit enrichment linked to two properties in Saly and Atlanta. This episode underscores the long-standing lack of oversight over these discretionary resources.
Calls for legal reform
Institutional actors are now pushing for legal frameworks to regulate these funds. Deputy Guy Marius Sagna proposed a bill in September 2025 to create a Commission for Verification of Political Funds, initially asking Prime Minister Sonko to endorse it. Sonko reportedly requested time to discuss the matter with relevant authorities, later amending the proposal to strengthen oversight. However, critics argue the government is maintaining the status quo. Sagna has since submitted four legislative proposals, one of which establishes a commission to audit allocations to political funds.
Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall, a former Energy Minister known for his 2017 resignation over transparency concerns, went further, calling these funds “theft.” He emphasized that no parliamentary vote authorized their existence, though he distinguished them from presidential intelligence funds, which he deemed separate.
Not all voices align. El Hadj Momar Samb, Secretary-General of the RTA-S, accused the parliamentary majority of opportunism, noting that many current members previously held high-ranking positions without advocating for transparency. While supporting oversight, he urged broader parliamentary scrutiny of institutions like the National Water Company (ONAS), oil revenues, and regional funds.
Official stance: regulation over elimination
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has defended the retention of these funds, citing their role in intelligence and social solidarity. He argued that eliminating them could create a void in addressing urgent social needs. Sonko, speaking to the National Assembly in May 2026, acknowledged the 1.77 billion FCFA allocation to the Prime Minister’s office but emphasized the need for regulation rather than abolition.
The extraordinary parliamentary session convened on August 10, 2026, reflects this tension. Among its priorities is the urgent review of a bill to regulate special credits and secret funds, alongside a constitutional amendment on presidential asset declarations. This debate highlights the clash between an entrenched institutional practice—documented across regimes from Abdou Diouf to the present—and the transparency demands of the current administration, which has been in power since 2024.
