Elimane Pouye, Managing Director of the State Property Management and Exploitation Company (SOGEPA), has publicly contested the assertion that former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was the sole political figure to receive public political funds. In a detailed opinion piece addressing the debate surrounding the use of these state resources, Pouye argues that such claims lack factual basis and fail to distinguish Sonko’s situation from that of his predecessors.

He emphasizes the need for a more nuanced discussion, noting that without verifiable evidence, it is impossible to claim exclusivity. Pouye points out that Sonko is not the first government official to have held high-ranking positions and urges observers to scrutinize official budget records rather than rely on political rhetoric.

According to the SOGEPA chief, an analysis of the Prime Minister’s office budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025 reveals a consistent allocation structure. Any variations, he argues, stem primarily from institutional reorganizations, such as the transfer or detachment of certain services, rather than from arbitrary funding decisions.

Pouye highlights what he sees as the real novelty in this debate: Ousmane Sonko’s public acknowledgment of the existence of political funds within the Prime Minister’s budget, along with details about their allocation and general usage. This revelation, he suggests, raises critical questions: If these funds have existed in previous budgets, how were they utilized by earlier Prime Ministers, and for what purposes? He contends that this line of inquiry is far more pertinent than debates focused on daily amounts or periodic disbursements.

The SOGEPA director advocates for a shift in focus toward transparency in public fund management. He asserts that political funds, like all public resources, should be subject to democratic scrutiny—but only when grounded in verifiable evidence rather than conjecture or political maneuvering. In his view, meaningful public debate requires arguments rooted in facts, not insinuations.

Pouye also notes that both the majority parliamentary group and the Head of State have already outlined their positions on this issue. He calls on all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, framing the discussion as an opportunity to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Senegal.

Concluding his argument, the SOGEPA chief defends Senegal’s vibrant institutional debate culture while warning against attempts by certain political actors to revive old divisions or steer the conversation away from its core issues.