Senegal plans to summon ex-president Macky Sall to court due to a damning audit report revealing severe irregularities in public finances. Sall faces accusations of mismanaging the treasury, leading to significantly higher figures for national debt and budget deficit than reported. The new administration, led by President Faye, is prioritizing anti-corruption measures following Sall’s controversial tenure.
A Senegalese government spokesperson announced that former president Macky Sall will be summoned to court following the revelation of irregularities in treasury bookkeeping during his administration. An independent audit report has criticized Sall for serious mismanagement of public funds, significantly revising upward both the national debt and public deficit figures that he previously reported.
Residing in Morocco since leaving office, Sall has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. Government spokesperson Moustapha Sarre claimed that Sall might be termed the leader of a gang responsible for criminal acts, stating, “Inevitably he will face justice. He is the person chiefly responsible for the extremely serious acts that were committed. Legal proceedings cannot be avoided.”
The audit, released on February 12, highlighted discrepancies, indicating a 2023 budget deficit of 12.3 percent, far exceeding the previously reported 4.9 percent during Sall’s tenure. Newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has committed to distancing his administration from Sall’s by promising to address previous corruption.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a prominent critic of Sall, had previously vowed to investigate alleged widespread corruption from the former administration. Since then, several former officials have faced charges and imprisonment, including a lawmaker associated with Sall who was charged with fraud and money laundering as recently as Thursday.
In summary, former President Macky Sall faces legal repercussions following an audit revealing significant financial mismanagement during his time in office. The current administration, under President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko, aims to distance itself from Sall’s legacy by addressing corruption and promoting fiscal accountability in Senegal. Legal action against Sall appears imminent as the government seeks justice for alleged crimes committed under his leadership.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
