The Allegations: A System of Manipulation

Senegal is grappling with a major scandal following an explosive report from the Court of Auditors, which was relayed by the newspaper Source A. The report alleges a vast system of manipulation of the State accounts was in place between 2019 and March 2024.

• Key Finding: The report suggests debts were incurred in the name of the State outside of any legal procedure.
• Involved Parties: Three former finance ministers, a senior public treasury official, and several account managers are reportedly implicated.

The case is now under review by the general prosecutor’s office and the financial discipline chamber, potentially leading to legal proceedings.

Circumventing Oversight: The National Committee of Public Debt

A central point of the allegations is that these financial commitments were made without the necessary authorization.Specifically, the report claims the approval of the National Committee of public Debt (CNDP), the body responsible for authorizing any state debt, was bypassed.

This raises serious questions about the checks and balances in place to protect public funds and ensure responsible fiscal management.

Questionable Financial Practices: Cash Withdrawals and Opacity

the report further alleges that conventions were signed with banking establishments without adhering to finance laws. Even more concerning is the claim that funds raised through these means were partly removed in cash, escaping the official traceability circuits, and used in total opacity.

This lack of transparency makes it difficult to track the flow of funds and determine their ultimate use, fueling suspicions of illicit activities.

Accusations of Budget Deficit Manipulation

The Court of Auditors has also accused those involved of manipulating the budget deficit to present a financial situation that aligned with the CONVECTION criteria of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the requirements of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In 2023,a significant discrepancy was reportedly discovered:

A spectacular gap of more than 696 billion FCFA was reportedly found between the officially declared amounts (434.9 billion FCFA) and the effective disbursements (1,131.6 billion FCFA).

This discrepancy highlights the potential scale of the alleged manipulation.

Reclassification of Debt: A Maneuver for “Regularization”?

Adding another layer to the allegations, the report suggests that illegally contracted debts were subsequently reclassified as Treasury bonds. This maneuver was allegedly intended to regularize the debts retroactively and conceal the true extent of the public debt.

Such actions, if proven true, would represent a serious breach of financial regulations and ethical standards.

Looking Ahead: Implications and Next Steps

The unfolding scandal has sent shockwaves through Senegalese society, prompting calls for a thorough and impartial investigation. The legal proceedings that may follow will be closely watched, as they could have significant implications for the country’s political and economic landscape.

The allegations underscore the importance of strong oversight mechanisms and transparent financial practices to safeguard public funds and maintain public trust.