Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf contends that Ousmane Sonko’s recent visits to religious communities starkly contradict the actual content of the legislative proposal presented to Parliament. He asserted, “What he puts forth in the National Assembly bears no resemblance to what he conveyed to our esteemed religious leaders,” condemning what he perceives as a profound moral failing.
The ongoing debate surrounding the reform of special credits has escalated with a new development. Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, who serves as the Minister of Petroleum and Deputy General Supervisor for the KIIRAAY / Les Patriotes Républicains coalition, has vehemently criticized the National Assembly’s proposed bill concerning these funds. He has accused the parliamentary majority and its leader, Ousmane Sonko, of employing a “double standard” when addressing religious institutions.
For Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf, Sonko’s recent tour of religious centers directly conflicts with the true spirit of the text introduced in Parliament. He emphasized, “The provisions he advocates for in the National Assembly are completely different from the narrative he shared with our spiritual guides,” labeling this discrepancy a “deep moral issue.” The Minister pointed to Article 2 of the parliamentary proposal, which strictly limits special credits “exclusively” to defense, security, and intelligence matters. Furthermore, he highlighted Article 5, which explicitly rules out expenditures of a social nature. Diouf characterized this wording as creating “anti-social and anti-religious credits,” effectively, in his view, shutting the door on any support for vulnerable populations.
In contrast, Dr. Diouf lauded the Executive’s amendments, which aim to reintroduce provisions for “the preservation of social order” and uphold “humanitarian values, mutual aid, and solidarity.” His conclusion was unequivocal: “Where the Assembly excludes, the Executive includes.” Finally, Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf reproached Ousmane Sonko for having freely utilized political funds during his tenure as Prime Minister, urging him to take responsibility for the implications of his current legislative text. He challenged Sonko directly: “Own your discrimination against our religious communities in the allocation of political funds! The Republic! Nothing but the Republic!”
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