Senegal is summoning ex-President Macky Sall over financial mismanagement allegations revealed in an audit, showing a 12.3% budget deficit for 2023. Sall, accused of serious fiscal irregularities, has denied the claims, asserting they are politically motivated. The current government aims to distance itself from Sall’s administration amid increasing scrutiny of political corruption and violence during his presidency.
Senegal intends to summon former President Macky Sall in response to serious financial irregularities identified in the country’s fiscal reports from his administration. As the president from 2012 to 2024, Sall faces accusations of disastrous management of public funds, with a recent audit revealing the 2023 budget deficit at 12.3%, significantly higher than the previously reported 4.9%. The impending legal proceedings underscore the severity of the financial discrepancies unearthed since his administration’s conclusion.
An audit published by the national oversight office on February 12, 2025, has raised concerns regarding the veracity of official figures related to public debt and deficits during Sall’s presidency. Government spokesman Moustapha Sarre has announced that Sall may potentially be charged with serious criminal acts, implying he directed a group involved in significant financial misconduct. Sarre emphasized, “Inevitably he will face justice. He is the person chiefly responsible for the extremely serious acts that were committed.”
Currently residing in Morocco, Sall has vehemently rejected these allegations, asserting that the controversy is politically motivated and unfounded. Senegal’s new President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected in March 2024, aims to distance his administration from Sall’s legacy. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has vowed to investigate instances of widespread corruption linked to Sall, with several of his associates, including a member of parliament, already arrested on fraud and money laundering charges.
If formal charges are leveled against Sall, it would represent an unprecedented event in Senegal, marking the first occasion a former head of state faces trial since the nation achieved independence in 1960. Speculation suggests Sall and others may confront accusations of “high treason” in front of Senegal’s High Court of Justice.
Amid these developments, the amnesty law enacted by Sall before the 2024 elections, which shields perpetrators of political violence, is under scrutiny. Critics argue this legislation complicates justice for victims of violence that characterized the latter part of Sall’s presidency. Significant unrest between March 2021 and February 2024 resulted in 65 fatalities, mainly among the youth, provoking calls for investigations into the security forces’ actions during protests from Amnesty International.
Amnesty has condemned the amnesty law for obstructing justice, as echoed by interim regional director Marceau Sivieude, who stated, “Justice, truth, and reparation require that security forces allegedly responsible for excessive and illegal use of force during protests be prosecuted.” The government’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Sall’s political party, with deputy spokesperson Abdou Mbow condemning the allegations levied against Sall as manipulative and unacceptable, enhancing the prevailing tension in Senegal following this political transition.
In summary, former Senegalese President Macky Sall is set to face legal scrutiny over alleged financial mismanagement, as highlighted by a concerning audit revealing a significant budget deficit. Accusations of political corruption under his rule are compounded by unrest during his presidency and contentious legislation aimed at shielding political offenders. The situation remains fraught with tension as Senegal embarks on a new political chapter under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, amidst calls for accountability and justice for past actions. The outcome of these investigations and potential charges against Sall will be pivotal as the nation navigates its political future.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
