In a sharp turn of events, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivered a scathing critique of the previous administration’s governance during a high-level interministerial meeting convened on May 21. The session, which unfolded against a backdrop of mounting public frustration, spotlighted systemic inefficiencies and what Sonko described as deliberate sabotage of national development.
At the heart of his remarks was an explosive audit report on public infrastructure and asset management. The findings painted a grim picture: 245 critical projects—ranging from roads to public buildings—lie abandoned, unfinished, or grossly underutilized, with an estimated financial toll exceeding 5,000 billion FCFA. To put that figure into perspective, it nearly matches Senegal’s annual national budget. «These are not just numbers; they represent colossal waste, a betrayal of public trust,» Sonko declared, singling out the abandoned Sandiara high school project as emblematic of the crisis. «Twelve years to construct a single school? This is not incompetence—it is a calculated insult to our people.»
The audit further revealed that 62 of the 94 ongoing infrastructure projects across the country have ground to a halt, consuming over 5,227 billion FCFA in sunk costs. Sonko’s frustration was palpable as he questioned the integrity of a system that allows such mismanagement to persist unchecked. «When you see billions vanish into thin air while essential services crumble, you have to ask: who truly benefits from this dysfunction?» he queried.
Accountability in the crosshairs: Sonko’s fight against impunity
Beyond the fiscal hemorrhage, Sonko leveled accusations at the judiciary, accusing it of shielding high-profile figures from the former regime—many of whom are suspected of embezzling public funds. «I’ve reached a breaking point. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s even worth the fight,» he admitted, his voice laced with barely contained exasperation. «In this country, you can plunder fortunes and walk away untouched. The system is rigged, and the wheels of justice spin in favor of the powerful.»
He went on to allege that judicial interference—what he termed «sabotage judiciaire»—has deliberately stalled prosecutions, ensuring that the architects of corruption evade accountability. «These cases belong to the people, not to magistrates who prioritize loyalty over legality,» Sonko asserted. With a warning that his government’s response would intensify in the coming weeks, he signaled a coming reckoning: «The time for half-measures is over. The era of unchecked impunity ends now.»
