Sénégal: ministers face scrutiny over unfilled asset declarations

The asset declaration requirement has once again become a litmus test for the credibility of Senegal’s executive branch. Reports emerging from Dakar suggest multiple ministers in the current government may have failed to comply with this legal obligation, despite transparency in asset declarations being a cornerstone of the administration led by Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko since their April 2024 inauguration. The issue transcends mere administrative formality, calling into question the consistency of the government’s official stance on accountability.

Senegal’s regulatory framework, established by the 2014 law creating the National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC), mandates that high-ranking public officials submit a detailed inventory of their assets upon taking office and upon leaving their positions. This includes the President, Prime Minister, ministers, heads of institutions, and senior officials managing public funds exceeding one billion CFA francs.

Strict legal deadlines and consequences

The law leaves no room for interpretation regarding deadlines. High-ranking officials must file their declarations with OFNAC within three months of their appointment. Failure to meet this deadline places their compliance status in legal jeopardy. According to local press reports, several ministers appointed in the 2024 cabinet reshuffle are currently out of compliance with this requirement.

The repercussions of non-compliance are severe. OFNAC is authorized to issue a formal notice to delinquent officials. If the negligence persists, the case may be referred to judicial authorities, where penalties can include suspension of salary and potential criminal prosecution. While the mechanism is designed to deter misconduct, its enforcement has historically faced scrutiny.

Political stakes for the new administration

The stakes are particularly high given that combating illicit enrichment and demanding accountability were central themes of the Pastef coalition’s election campaign. The current government has already initiated legal proceedings against former officials under Macky Sall’s administration, leveraging OFNAC and financial prosecution tools. If ministers within the current administration are found non-compliant, it would undermine the moral authority the government has sought to project.

Under the leadership of a magistrate following its restructuring, OFNAC possesses the institutional capacity to enforce these rules. However, the true test lies in the political will to follow through, especially given past reports highlighting low compliance rates among officials, even in previous administrations. The most recent public report revealed hundreds of pending declarations, with a significant portion never submitted.

Regional momentum on asset transparency

Senegal’s situation reflects a broader West African trend. Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, and Burkina Faso have all implemented comparable asset declaration systems in recent years, driven by ECOWAS and African Union anti-corruption protocols. Yet, implementation remains inconsistent across the region due to bureaucratic hurdles and the lack of public access to declarations.

In Dakar, civil society groups such as the Senegalese branch of Transparency International’s Forum Civil have long advocated for full public disclosure of declarations, similar to practices in some European democracies. However, Senegal’s legal framework restricts access to declarations to authorized officials only, with unauthorized disclosure punishable by law.

The current episode presents the government with a clear choice. Either the non-compliant ministers rectify their status swiftly, allowing the matter to fade, or OFNAC pursues formal action, triggering a politically costly chain of events for an administration that has made integrity a defining feature. The credibility of Senegal’s anti-corruption agenda hinges on how this situation is resolved.