Former Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye makes bold claims about special funds
The revelation came during a televised discussion as former Senegal minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye addressed the allocation of special funds to prime ministers, specifically highlighting the case of current premier Ousmane Sonko.
He stated that Sonko holds a unique position as the first prime minister to receive these funds during his tenure. Ngouille Ndiaye emphasized:
“He was the first prime minister to benefit from these special funds. I was never prime minister, but some former prime ministers are still alive and listening, and only Boun Abdallah Dione, who has since passed away, did not have access to such funds. This practice began with Sonko.”
He further clarified that former prime ministers like Amadou Ba did not receive these funds, as he was succeeded by Sidiki Kaba, who did not serve long enough to benefit. Ngouille Ndiaye also addressed conflicting claims about the frequency of fund disbursement:
“Some say the funds are allocated per quarter, others per year. If it were annual, Sonko would have received around 8 billion FCFA. However, the first tranche of 1.7 billion FCFA was exhausted quickly, suggesting that disbursements were not annual.”
Accountability and parliamentary investigations
Ngouille Ndiaye stressed the importance of transparency regarding the use of these funds. He suggested that if he were in Sonko position, the first step would be to clarify how the 1.7 billion FCFA was spent:
“Parliamentary commissions should investigate the utilization of these funds. This would set a strong example. While they claim not to misuse institutions, actions often contradict their words.”
Implications for Senegal’s governance
The former minister’s statements shed light on the evolving nature of governance and financial transparency in Senegal. His remarks underscore the need for greater clarity on the allocation and use of public funds, particularly special discretionary funds.