Leaked Correspondence Uncovers Sensitive Requests
In recent days, a leaked letter has ignited intense discussions across Senegalese political circles. Written by Juan Branco, a prominent French lawyer and essayist, the correspondence was addressed to Ousmane Sonko, who at the time served as Prime Minister of Senegal. The document, dated February 4, 2025, outlines five critical areas where Branco seeks intervention from Sonko, raising questions about judicial sovereignty and political alliances.
Judicial Pressures and Alleged Foreign Influence
Branco’s letter highlights concerns over a Spanish judge’s commission rogatoire related to his alleged abduction in Mauritania. He subtly urges Sonko to influence Senegalese judicial authorities to expedite cooperation, while suggesting a hidden French role in the case. This raises concerns about interference in Senegal’s sovereign legal processes.
The document also demands access to classified intelligence documents from Senegal’s former regime—dating back to the presidency of Macky Sall—allegedly implicating French intelligence agencies. Branco claims these records are central to his defense against an alleged Kompramat trap orchestrated in October 2023, involving a Senegalese agent. Such a request, however, could violate Senegal’s penal code, including breaches of national defense secrecy and professional confidentiality.
Controversial Legal and Financial Demands
Branco further presses Sonko to intervene directly in a France-International Criminal Court case involving allegations of crimes against humanity against former President Macky Sall. He specifically calls for financial backing, either through public funds or the opposition party PASTEF, despite Senegal not being a civil party in the case. Such a move could constitute misuse of public funds or political financing violations, bypassing official judicial channels like commission rogatoires.
He also revisits his long-standing ambition to represent Senegal at the United Nations, a role he claims aligns with the government’s sovereign and pan-African stance. After discovering another diplomat had been selected, Branco shifts his focus to securing Senegalese citizenship through presidential prerogative, enabling him to practice law locally and teach at Cheikh Anta Diop University. However, this request challenges the integrity of Senegal’s legal and academic institutions, raising conflicts of interest given his French nationality.
Financial Transparency and Legal Risks
The letter concludes with a breakdown of financial transactions, totaling €15,000 between 2023 and 2025. Branco mentions receiving €2,000 in reimbursements from Senegalese lawyer Bamba Cissé for travel expenses, funds he claims were insufficient for his extensive legal work, personal sacrifices, and ongoing judicial battles in France. This disclosure exposes potential financial irregularities, including the absence of formal contracts with the Senegalese state. If these funds originated from public sources, their informal handling could constitute embezzlement, while their lack of transparency raises concerns over capital flow regulations.
The correspondence reveals a stark shift in Branco’s expectations—from ideological partnership to a transactional relationship. Frustrated by unmet political ambitions, he now frames his activism as a service warranting financial compensation, transforming what was once portrayed as a principled alliance into a quid-pro-quo dynamic.