Compliance with asset declaration requirements is once more a critical measure of credibility for the Senegalese executive. Reports from Dakar indicate that several government ministers have failed to adhere to this legal mandate. This situation arises despite asset transparency being a cornerstone pledge of the Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko administration since their inauguration in April 2024. The issue extends beyond a mere administrative formality, directly impacting the integrity of the official discourse.
Sénégal’s framework, established by the 2014 law creating the National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC), obliges a specific range of high-ranking public figures to submit a detailed inventory of their possessions upon assuming and ceasing their duties. This includes the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, heads of institutions, and credit administrators overseeing funds exceeding one billion CFA francs.
Strict legal requirements for asset disclosure
The legislation clearly outlines the timeline. Individuals subject to this rule have a three-month window following their appointment to submit their declaration to OFNAC. Beyond this period, their compliance becomes legally questionable. According to Senegalese press reports, several members of the government, reshuffled in autumn 2024, currently find themselves in breach of these regulations.
This non-compliance is not a trivial matter. The law stipulates that in cases of non-submission, OFNAC must issue a formal notice to the defaulting official. Should the silence persist, the institution can initiate legal proceedings, and failure to declare assets can lead to sanctions, including salary suspension and, if applicable, criminal charges. The mechanism is designed to be a deterrent, though its practical effectiveness has often been debated.
Political credibility on the line for the ruling administration
The stakes are particularly high given that the fight against illicit enrichment and the demand for accountability were central to Pastef’s successful electoral campaign. The new government has initiated several actions against former dignitaries of the Macky Sall regime, precisely utilizing the instruments of OFNAC and the financial prosecutor’s office. Discovering non-conformity within the current cabinet would significantly undermine the moral authority claimed by the authorities.
OFNAC, led by a magistrate since its restructuring, theoretically possesses the necessary powers to activate these procedures. The remaining question is the political will to see these through, especially as successive institutional reports have consistently highlighted a low compliance rate among those subject to the law, even under previous administrations. The last public report noted hundreds of anticipated declarations, a substantial portion of which were never submitted.
Asset transparency: a regional imperative in West Africa
The debate unfolding in Sénégal is part of a broader West African trend. Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, and Burkina Faso have all adopted similar measures in recent years, driven by ECOWAS and African Union protocols aimed at preventing corruption. However, the performance of member states remains inconsistent, with practical application often hindered by administrative resistance and a lack of genuine public disclosure.
In Dakar, various civil society organizations, including the Civil Forum (the Senegalese chapter of Transparency International), have long advocated for the full publication of these declarations, mirroring practices in some European democracies. This demand, however, clashes with the confidentiality principle enshrined in Senegalese law, which restricts access solely to authorized bodies and imposes criminal penalties for any unauthorized disclosure.
Ultimately, the current situation presents the government with a clear choice. Either the implicated ministers promptly regularize their status, allowing the incident to subside, or OFNAC activates its procedures, initiating a politically damaging period for an administration that has championed integrity as a core value. The credibility of the anti-corruption agenda hinges on such decisive actions. Ministers cited for non-compliance now face formal notices from the institution.
Further reading
Sénégal: two detention orders in the 45 billion armament market · Madagascar: an access to information bill reaches parliament · Dakar City Hall: Abass Fall denounces a special delegation project
