In Senegal, the debate over secret funds inherited from the previous administration has taken a personal turn. Civil society activist Babacar Bâ, a vocal advocate for public accountability, is now questioning the consistency of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The criticism centers on Sonko’s anti-corruption rhetoric, which sharply condemns hidden financial mechanisms, despite his own party, Pastef, reportedly managing a 1.7 billion FCFA political fund.
Contradiction exposed in the fight against hidden funds
Since the political shift in March 2024, the government led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Sonko has made dismantling opaque financial networks a cornerstone of its governance agenda. The denunciation of caisses noires—unaccounted funds operating outside standard budgetary procedures—has become a defining narrative in its commitment to transparency.
Babacar Bâ argues that this stance lacks coherence when scrutinized closely. He points out that Sonko has publicly acknowledged the existence of substantial resources amassed by his party, yet the exact origin and contributors remain undisclosed. The 1.7 billion FCFA figure, critics suggest, far exceeds typical party financing norms in Senegal.
The dilemma of a 1.7 billion FCFA political fund
The regulation of political party financing in Senegal remains underdeveloped compared to stricter frameworks in other West African nations. The absence of robust laws on donation caps and financial oversight fuels recurring suspicions about the transparency of party funds.
Bâ’s critique highlights the inconsistency between the government’s stringent anti-corruption stance and the opacity surrounding Pastef’s finances. If the funds stem from member contributions, the sheer size raises questions about the party’s membership base. If they originate from identified donors, he contends, full disclosure should be mandatory.
The legitimacy of parties raising funds for campaigns is not in dispute. However, the debate revolves around the application of uniform standards. A government that champions the traceability of public funds must, in this view, uphold the same transparency within its own political structures.
Transparency debate deepens amid political tensions
Babacar Bâ’s intervention arrives at a time of heightened political friction. Investigations by the Court of Auditors and other administrative bodies into past public finance mismanagement have dominated headlines for months. Each revelation fuels a broader ideological clash between the old regime’s defenders and the new leadership.
Bâ’s challenge shifts the focus from partisan squabbles to a more fundamental question: Can the fight against hidden funds be credible if it applies selectively? His argument implies that accountability must be universal, encompassing both state institutions and the political parties that shape them. Pastef’s financing, once overshadowed by the 2024 electoral momentum, now resurfaces as the party strengthens its institutional grip.
For international investors and development partners tracking Senegal’s governance trajectory, this debate carries weight. Political finance transparency is a key metric monitored by donors and rating agencies. Legislative reform, frequently discussed in civil society circles, could emerge as a natural outcome of this controversy. Babacar Bâ has called for a public clarification from the Prime Minister regarding the 1.7 billion FCFA fund.
