If the Court of Auditors were to disavow Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko by confirming that the budgetary figures he had denounced as falsified were indeed accurate, it would be a real political, economic and judicial thunderclap in Senegal. Such a decision would not only undermine the Prime Minister’s credibility, it would potentially mark the end of his political career.
When you wake up, for those in the know, this great squabble of the “Pastéfiens” on social networks is just window dressing by clowns unaware of the current global economic orbit.
The real hidden war remains the decision of the Court of Auditors, which is strangely late and an international audit announced on the debt also remains a headlong flight in the face of the probable results of the Court of Auditors to the detriment of their beloved party president, Ousmane Sonko.
An irreversible loss of credibility
In a country where citizens’ trust in their leaders is already fragile, this disavowal would accentuate the general distrust of the political class. Ousmane Sonko, perceived by many as a man of integrity and transparency, would find himself in an untenable position. The falsification or manipulation of economic data constitutes a serious offense, which, in this specific case, could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt at political manipulation to discredit state institutions and attract popular sympathy.
The Court of Auditors’ disavowal would also mean that the arguments put forward by Sonko, during his public interventions and in his General Policy Statement, were based on unfounded assertions. For a leader who presents himself as the champion of justice and transparency, this situation would amount to a betrayal of his own principles.
An opposition in ambush
This turnaround would open a breach that the opposition would not fail to exploit. The opposition parties, until now often criticized for their lack of coherence and clear vision, could unite to denounce the management considered hazardous and opportunistic by the Prime Minister. They would undoubtedly demand his immediate resignation, while demanding institutional reforms to strengthen transparency and economic governance of the country.
A disillusioned civil society
Civil society, which has often played a counter-power role in Senegal, could also prove intransigent. Citizen organizations and movements, hitherto mobilized to denounce corruption and the abuses of power, could call for demonstrations to demand accountability not only from Sonko, but also from the entire government.
Such a scenario would reinforce the feeling of disillusionment within the population, particularly among young people who saw in Ousmane Sonko a hope for renewal. Distrust of institutions could increase, worsening the divide between those who govern and those who are governed.
Economic and international consequences
Economically, this crisis of credibility could have disastrous repercussions. International partners, already attentive to the signals sent by the Senegalese government, could review their commitments, hesitating to invest or provide additional financing. Financial institutions, such as the World Bank or the IMF, would require increased guarantees, which would further increase the pressure on the national economy.
The legal consequences for Ousmane Sonko
The disavowal of the Court of Auditors is not limited to a political setback for Ousmane Sonko. As prime minister, his public statements on the alleged falsification of budget figures could subject him to legal liability. Several charges could be brought against him, including dissemination of false information (article 80 of the Senegalese Penal Code), damage to the image of public institutions. If investigations demonstrate a deliberate intention to manipulate public opinion for political gains, he could also be prosecuted for abuse of office and dominant position.
The consequences of such prosecutions would be serious. Ousmane Sonko would risk penalties that could include substantial fines, a policy, or even a prison sentence if the courts establish that his accusations caused economic or social harm to the country. A thorough judicial investigation could also expose flaws in his management as head of government, deepening his political isolation and paving the way for his impeachment or forced resignation.
What to do for Senegal?
Faced with this crisis, it is imperative that the opposition and civil society adopt a responsible posture. Rather than fueling division and hatred, they must offer concrete solutions to restore the trust of citizens and international partners.
Senegal must also learn profound lessons from this. This includes:
– Strengthening control institutions: guaranteeing the total independence of the Court of Auditors and statistical agencies.
– Economic transparency: publish accessible and reliable reports on the management of public finances.
– Civic and political education: raising citizens’ awareness of the importance of accountability and ethics in public management.
In short, such an affair could serve as a catalyst for an in-depth reform of governance in Senegal and the transition to a new Republic.
Zaynab SANGHARE
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