The text has been on lawmakers’ desks since September 18, and it could well be the most uncomfortable vote of the legislature. As they examine the 2026 revised finance bill, the Pastef majority faces two bad options: approve a budget tied to the IMF agreement, or risk being accused of paralyzing the state. SeneNews deciphers a dilemma where every answer carries a political cost.

In substance, the revised bill profoundly reshapes the year’s accounts. The budget deficit is revised to 1,735.2 billion FCFA, or 7.6% of GDP, up from an initially planned 5.4%. The government attributes this deterioration mainly to higher subsidies for the energy sector, the absorption of new priority spending, and lower revenues.

The energy item concentrates most of the shock. The envelope to support the sector rises from 250 to 790.3 billion FCFA, an increase of 540.3 billion. Meanwhile, expected revenues fall to 5,848.7 billion FCFA, 340.1 billion less than the 6,188.8 billion projected in the initial finance law. The executive justifies this revision by citing the effects of the global energy crisis and a rainfall deficit.

To contain the drift, the text sacrifices investment. The government plans a 555 billion FCFA reduction in investments, split between domestic and external resources. In return, some social safety nets are strengthened: the family security grant envelope rises from 35 billion to 70 billion FCFA. Finally, authorities aim to bring energy subsidies below 1% of GDP by 2029, while better targeting vulnerable households. It is this last orientation that crystallizes concerns about electricity and fuel prices.

Voting yes: endorsing an agreement you criticized

This law is not a mere accounting adjustment. It comes after the agreement reached between Senegal and the IMF, which remains subject to approval by the Fund’s Board. The staff-level agreement covers 2.2 billion dollars over 36 months. And the IMF mission chief for Senegal, Mercedes Vera Martin, was…