Senegal National Assembly faces scrutiny over budget management

Senegalese lawmaker Thierno Alassane Sall has criticized the management of the National Assembly, specifically targeting the frequent use of extraordinary sessions and the lack of transparency regarding institutional resources. Sall accused the current administration, including Ousmane Sonko, of attempting to rebrand former ‘political funds’ as ‘special funds’ to maintain discretionary control over resources under a veneer of legality.

Sall further raised concerns regarding the opacity of the parliamentary budget process and the acquisition of vehicles without explicit budgetary authorization. He also questioned the recruitment of former ministers within the institution.

In a related debate, former MP and Finance Commission President Seydou Diouf addressed the issue of special expenditures. Diouf clarified that the President of the National Assembly does not hold ‘special credits’ or ‘political funds,’ but rather manages an operating budget. He estimated these funds at approximately 150 million CFA francs per quarter for social aid, medical assistance, and information missions. Diouf emphasized that the primary issue is the lack of effective oversight, calling for the Finance Commission to implement both prior and posterior controls to ensure budgetary accountability.