Senegal’s political funding debate heats up as allegations of contradiction surface
In a bold public statement, Babacar Bâ, President of the Forum du justiciable, has called out what he describes as glaring inconsistencies in the discourse of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko regarding political transparency. The human rights advocate points out that Sonko, who now positions himself as a champion of integrity and good governance, previously managed a political fund exceeding 1.7 billion CFA francs during his tenure as Prime Minister—a figure he himself acknowledged publicly.
The Forum du justiciable leader argues that this irony is difficult to stomach, especially as Sonko has repeatedly condemned what he termed as the state’s “caisses noires” (slush funds). Yet, once in power, he became responsible for managing the very mechanisms he once criticized. This contradiction has become a recurring theme in Babacar Bâ’s recent advocacy, where he has demanded greater transparency from the Presidency, Prime Minister’s office, and National Assembly by disclosing all received funds and submitting to audits by the Cour des comptes.
The Senegalese political landscape, according to Babacar Bâ, is trapped in a web of institutional deception. His tone has shifted from technical critiques of public finance management to a more urgent call for the Senegalese people to wake up, unite, and reclaim control over their future.