In a sharp critique of Ousmane Sonko, leader of the opposition movement AGIR-Les Leaders, Thierno Bocoum, has accused the Prime Minister of Senegal of what he terms a « double discourse » regarding the use of public funds during his tenure in government positions.
According to Thierno Bocoum, Ousmane Sonko publicly acknowledged receiving approximately 1.77 billion West African CFA francs annually as part of what he described as « political funds ». The AGIR-Les Leaders president argues that this revelation casts doubt on Sonko’s credibility as a champion of anti-corruption efforts, particularly his calls for accountability from other public officials.
Thierno Bocoum further points out that the disclosure of these funds came much later than expected, suggesting that legislators—tasked with overseeing the national budget and government actions—were only made aware of their existence years after they were established.
He also highlights a statement from a former government spokesperson who claimed to have had no knowledge of such funds, adding to the ambiguity surrounding their management and institutional oversight.
In his remarks, Thierno Bocoum accuses Ousmane Sonko of issuing « certificates of integrity » to others while failing to meet the same transparency standards he demands of them. For the AGIR-Les Leaders leader, this reflects a troubling inconsistency in Senegal’s approach to governance.
inconsistency in public accountability
The opposition figure describes this as a form of « demagoguery », where demands for transparency are applied selectively. He warns that a moralistic discourse that exempts its own practitioners from scrutiny poses a significant risk to Senegal’s democratic principles.
Thierno Bocoum’s statement underscores growing tensions over financial accountability in Senegal’s political landscape, with critics questioning the integrity of those in power.