The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, publicly challenged the President’s handling of political funds during a heated exchange at the National Assembly on May 22, 2026. Speaking before lawmakers, he bluntly stated that the Head of State had made a misstep in this delicate matter, declaring, ‘I disagree with him on this issue.’
Addressing the chamber during a session devoted to current affairs, Sonko emphasized that transparency in political financing has long been a cornerstone of his political movement. ‘Since 2014, we have been advocating for stricter oversight of political funds. This was part of our 2019 manifesto, and by 2024, the situation remained unchanged,’ he noted. The Prime Minister stressed that citizens were promised a system where no public funds would flow without rigorous accountability.
Clarifying his stance, Sonko made it clear that his objection was not aimed at abolishing these special funds entirely but rather at establishing a regulatory framework akin to France’s model. ‘Our position has never been to eliminate these funds—only to ensure they are subject to oversight,’ he explained.
He also dismissed rumors suggesting that these resources would be redirected to the Prime Minister’s office. With a budget exceeding one billion CFA francs already under his control, Sonko refuted the idea, framing the debate as one of governance and public trust. ‘Senegalese citizens have long suspected these funds are used to sway supporters,’ he lamented, reaffirming that ‘every franc must be accounted for.’