Macky Sall, former President of Senegal, has rejected a critical audit report as politically motivated. The audit revealed severe financial discrepancies, leading to potential legal repercussions and a downgrade by Moody’s. Sall asserts his administration acted transparently and expressed confidence in facing these allegations.
Former President of Senegal, Macky Sall, has vocally condemned a recent audit that has questioned financial practices during his administration, terming it a “political trial.” In an interview with Jeune Afrique, he stated he is undeterred by potential legal actions in light of a Court of Audit report that has drawn sharp criticism from the current government, with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko labeling the findings as “catastrophic.”
The audit revealed significant discrepancies in Senegal’s financial reporting during Sall’s presidency from 2012 to 2024. It cited serious mismanagement, finding public debt at 99.67% of GDP, far surpassing former government estimates. The report indicated a revised budget deficit of 12.3%, conflicting markedly with the previously reported 4.9%, and highlighted unaccounted expenditures not reflected in the state’s financial records.
Following the audit’s publication, the credit ratings agency Moody’s shifted Senegal’s outlook to negative and downgraded its long-term ratings, responding to the alarming financial revelations. While launching “The Cape Town Declaration” in South Africa, an initiative designed to alleviate the debt burden on African nations, Sall firmly rejected the validity of the audit’s claims.
He asserted that his administration operated transparently, stating, “I totally disagree with these allegations of falsification. This is a political process.” He criticized the lack of any prior consultation with his administration regarding the audit findings and expressed confidence regarding any impending legal matters. Sall remarked upon his choice to reside in Morocco, noting that his predecessors similarly chose to live abroad.
In summary, former Senegalese President Macky Sall has strongly criticized an audit revealing financial discrepancies from his tenure, labeling it a politically motivated attack. The Court of Audit’s report has raised significant concerns regarding Senegal’s public debt and budget reporting, prompting a negative outlook from Moody’s. Sall maintains that his administration acted with transparency and stands ready to face any legal challenges.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
