”The authorities we replaced lied to the country and its partners in […] providing erroneous data,” Mr. Sonko said during a press briefing Thursday evening in Dakar, in the presence of members of the government.
Mr. Sonko accused the former power of having “tampered with the data to give an economic, financial and budgetary image that had nothing to do with reality. “It is extremely serious,” he said. he said.
According to him, the budget deficit was 10.4 pc of gross domestic product GDP during the period 2019-2023, while it was presented at 5.5 pc of GDP. “We were far from imagining that things were so catastrophic,” he explained.
Ousmane Sonko noted in particular ”600 billion CFA francs which should have been spent from January 1, 2024”. ”But the outgoing regime spent them before we came to power (in March 2024), that is to say for the 2023 financial year, which is extremely serious […] As I speak to you, we find no trace of the use of these funds,” added Sonko, appointed Prime Minister on April 5 after the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the presidential election on March 24, 2024.
“We have the obligation to take stock of the situation that our regime has inherited,” he insisted, while promising investigations into “generalized corruption”.
For his part, the Senegalese Minister of Economy and Planning, Abdourahmane Sarr, spoke of a much more worrying financial situation than previously announced, with a deficit and public debt largely underestimated.
During this meeting with the press, the minister presented a report on the state of the country’s public finances, revealing a much darker picture than that communicated so far. The report highlights significant discrepancies between the figures announced and the economic reality of Senegal.
For his part, the Minister of Justice, Ousmane Diagne, indicated that the facts arising from this report “are of certain seriousness and seem to have a criminal qualification, which the competent judicial authorities seized will have to determine by means of investigations as they deem appropriate.
”It’s true that it doesn’t belong to me […] to judge the effectiveness of the facts. It will be up to the judicial and police authorities to determine them. It’s their job. What I can say is that it will be done with maximum rigor, transparency and subject to the rules of the principle of the presumption of innocence,” added the Minister of Justice.
According to the government, this press briefing, the first of the Sonko government, will serve as a prelude to the official launch, on October 7, 2024, of the National Transformation Agenda, a strategic plan for the operationalization of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s program, intended to sustainably transform the Senegalese economy.
How does Ousmane Sonko intend to rebuild trust between the government and the Senegalese people following the financial revelations?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister of Senegal
Time.news Editor: Good evening, Mr. Sonko. Thank you for joining us today. You’ve recently raised serious concerns about the financial data provided by the previous administration. Can you elaborate on what led you to these accusations?
Ousmane Sonko: Thank you for having me. During our initial review of the financial situation, we discovered what I believe to be a deliberate misrepresentation of the country’s economic data. The figures presented by the former government showed a budget deficit of just 5.5% of GDP, but our investigations indicate that the true deficit is much higher—around 10.4%. This discrepancy is not merely a statistical error; it’s indicative of deeper systemic issues.
Time.news Editor: Those are staggering figures. What implications do you believe this has for your government’s ability to govern moving forward?
Ousmane Sonko: The implications are indeed significant. With a budget deficit almost double what was reported, our resources are far more constrained than we anticipated. This means that our ability to fund essential services, infrastructure projects, and social programs will be severely limited. It is critical for us to audit these financial records thoroughly, not only to address immediate challenges but also to restore public trust in government institutions.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the absence of documentation regarding 600 billion CFA francs that were intended for future expenditures. Can you explain what actions your administration plans to take in response to this?
Ousmane Sonko: Absolutely. First and foremost, we will initiate a comprehensive investigation into the spending of these funds. Accountability is paramount, and we need to understand how such a substantial amount was expended without supporting documentation. We’ll be working closely with financial authorities and independent auditors to trace these funds and hold accountable those responsible for any misconduct.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear the path ahead is fraught with challenges. What measures do you intend to put in place to prevent such issues from recurring in the future?
Ousmane Sonko: Transparency and accountability will be the cornerstone of our administration. We are committed to implementing stricter controls over budget management and adopting international best practices in financial reporting. Additionally, we will establish a citizen oversight committee to encourage participation from civil society in monitoring government spending. This will not only deter corruption but also foster a culture of trust and responsibility.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of trust, how do you plan to rebuild the confidence of the Senegalese people in their government after these revelations?
Ousmane Sonko: Rebuilding trust is a multifaceted process. We must be open about our findings and the steps we are taking to rectify these issues. Public engagement is crucial, so we plan to hold regular forums and town hall meetings to keep citizens informed and involved. We believe that transparency in our actions will gradually restore faith in governance.
Time.news Editor: Mr. Sonko, what message would you like to send to the international community regarding Senegal’s economic situation?
Ousmane Sonko: To our international partners, I want to convey a message of commitment. Despite the challenges we face, we are dedicated to reestablishing a strong, transparent, and accountable economic environment in Senegal. We welcome support and collaboration in rebuilding our economy, but we also seek mutual respect and accountability in our partnerships moving forward.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Mr. Sonko, for sharing your insights and for your commitment to transparency. It is certainly a critical time for Senegal, and we look forward to seeing how your administration will navigate these challenges.
Ousmane Sonko: Thank you for having me. I’m optimistic about the path ahead, and I’m confident that together, we can bring about meaningful change.