Senegal’s former president, Macky Sall, might face charges after a recent report by the Court of Auditors pointed out grave irregularities in the management of public finances during his term in office. None of the former presidents of Senegal have been historically since the country gained its independence from France in 1960. The report identified “many anomalies” in treasury bookkeeping during Sall’s administration dated February 12. It has revamped the 2023 budget deficit to 12.3%, more than double the previous estimate of 4.9%. The report has ignited accusations of “catastrophic” mismanagement of public money. Response by the State and Legal Proceedings State spokesman Moustapha Sarre noted that Sall “could even be considered the leader of a gang that committed criminal acts” and said the courts would inevitably take action. “He will, with no doubt, be arrested, as he is the main person responsible for these very serious deeds,” Sarre told RFM radio.
Sall, who was in power from 2012 to 2024 and lives in Morocco now, said he believes the whole story is “political.” However, longtime opponent of Sall, Ousmane Sonko, prime minister, promised to investigate what he dubbed “mass corruption” under the previous administration. Crackdown on the Former Officials Recently, several former officials of Sall’s government were charged and jailed, including a close MP of Sall, on charges of fraud and money laundering. Before the High Court of Justice, the former president and other members of his administration could await a trial on “high treason.”
Amnesty Law and Political Violence: President Sall’s end was a shambles of political unrest and violence. From March 2021 to February 2024, as reported by the CartograFreeSenegal collective, at least 65 were killed in protest against Sall, one-quarter of whom were student citizens, one as young as 14. In December 2023, the amnesty law was presented by Sall during the March 2024 elections, which led to the inauguration of his successor: Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Prime Minister Sonko has pledged to repeal the law that has attracted criticism for being an amnesty for those who have committed violence during the protests. Responses from Sall’s Camp: The accusations leveled against the government by Sall’s party- the APR- are “unacceptable” and “populist,” according to the party. Abdou Mbow, deputy spokesperson of the party, criticized the government discourse thus: “They keep talking nonsense, messing with the population.
They must stop talking wombat-like and, quite frankly, understand that you do not take charge of a country without having the shoulders to give heed to certain remarks.” Senegal’s Developments: The potential prosecution of Macky Sall could be a defining moment for Senegal, a country often considered a paragon of stable democracy in West Africa. The government of President Faye has promised a different approach, pitching it as accountability, transparency, and justice. The case, while advancing in the justice system, will test Senegal’s resolve to commit to the rule of law while dealing with historical grievances.
