Senegal auditor Mamadou Faye denies hidden debt as IMF confirms $5bn under‑reporting

Outgoing president of Senegal’s Court of Auditors, Mamadou Faye, asserted that the institution’s reports contain no reference to a "hidden debt" and defended the body’s methodology as rigorous and independent. His comments came as the International Monetary Fund reported that roughly $5 billion of Senegal’s public debt was deliberately under‑declared between 2019 and 2024, describing the omission as a conscious decision that allowed the country to present a lower debt level and secure cheaper financing.

The IMF’s findings have led to the suspension of a €1.8 billion program pending corrective measures and have intensified a public debate involving politicians, journalists and civil‑society actors. Critics such as journalist Madiambal Diagne accused Faye of waiting until the end of his term to address the issue, while opposition figures like Aïda Sopi Niang attacked leader Ousmane Sonko for alleged inconsistencies on the debt narrative. The controversy highlights broader concerns over fiscal transparency, governance and Senegal’s future access to international financing.