Senegal plans to summon former President Macky Sall to court over significant treasury irregularities uncovered during an independent audit. The audit revealed major discrepancies in financial reporting, with the public deficit for 2023 revised to 12.3 percent, far exceeding previous claims. Sall has dismissed these findings, while legal proceedings against him and former officials from his administration are underway, as the current government seeks to distance itself from corruption allegations.
Senegal’s authorities have announced plans to summon former President Macky Sall to court amid revelations of significant discrepancies in the nation’s treasury records during his administration. The findings from the audit office have raised concerns about the mismanagement of public finances under Sall’s leadership from 2012 to 2024.
An independent audit report has invalidated previous claims, sharply adjusting both the national debt and public deficit figures, which has fueled allegations of financial negligence. The recently published report indicated that the 2023 budget deficit stands at 12.3 percent, a substantial increase from the 4.9 percent deficit initially reported during Sall’s administration.
Macky Sall, who has taken residence in Morocco since the conclusion of his presidency, has dismissed these audit findings as politically motivated. Government spokesman Moustapha Sarre has suggested that Sall could be labeled as the leader of a group involved in criminal activities, emphasizing the inevitability of legal actions against him.
Sall’s successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was elected in March 2024, has committed to separating his administration from Sall’s controversial tenure. Furthermore, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a well-known opponent of Sall’s, has expressed his determination to investigate instances of alleged corruption from the previous government.
In recent months, several former officials of Sall’s administration have faced legal repercussions, including a lawmaker closely associated with him, who is currently under charges of fraud and money laundering.
In conclusion, the Senate’s decision to summon Macky Sall to court reflects growing concerns regarding financial mismanagement during his presidency. The accompanying audit report reveals alarming discrepancies in public finance figures, leading to calls for accountability from the new administration. These developments underscore a significant shift in political accountability and scrutiny of former leadership in Senegal.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
