Macky Sall, ex-President of Senegal, criticized a recent independent audit as a “political trial”. The report revealed severe financial mismanagement during his tenure, prompting his dismissal of the findings. Despite the potential for legal action, Sall expressed confidence and asserted that his government was transparent in its dealings.
Former President of Senegal, Macky Sall, denounced a recent independent audit that criticized his administration’s financial management as a “political trial.” In an interview with Jeune Afrique, he expressed his readiness to face any legal challenges stemming from the Court of Audit report, which Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko deemed “catastrophic.” Sall, who led the country from 2012 to 2024, dismissed the audit’s findings as unfounded accusations of falsification and claimed his government had always maintained transparency.
The Court of Audit report revealed significant mismanagement, adjusting public debt estimates to 99.67 percent of GDP, far exceeding the figures presented by Sall’s outgoing administration. Furthermore, the auditors recalibrated the budget deficit for 2023 to 12.3 percent, higher than the previously stated 4.9 percent, highlighting extensive off-the-books expenditures that were not accounted for in the state’s finances. Following these revelations, the ratings agency Moody’s downgraded Senegal’s financial outlook to negative.
While attending a conference in South Africa, Macky Sall reiterated his disagreement with the audit’s assessment. He stated, “I totally disagree with these allegations of falsification. This is a political process. We have always worked in complete transparency with all partners,” underscoring his claim that the Court of Auditors had routinely approved the financial accounts during his tenure. He further indicated that no members from his administration were consulted prior to the audit’s findings.
Sall conveyed that he feels unperturbed by the possibility of legal action against his former government, asserting, “I am not afraid of anything. They can pursue it if they want.” He noted that his choice to reside in Morocco does not hinder his potential return to Senegal and maintains open lines of communication with the country. The situation underscores an ongoing struggle over accountability in Senegalese governance.
Former Senegalese leader Macky Sall has pushed back against an independent audit’s findings that deemed his administration financially negligent, labeling it a “political trial”. The audit indicated alarming fiscal mismanagement, leading to significant downgrades in Senegal’s financial ratings. Sall maintains that his government acted transparently and remains undeterred by potential legal repercussions.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
