Macky Sall Summoned to Court Over Treasury Irregularities

Senegal is summoning former President Macky Sall to court over serious financial discrepancies identified during his presidency. An audit revealed significant mismanagement of public funds, leading to a revised budget deficit figure that more than doubles previous reports. Sall has dismissed the findings as politically driven, while the current government vows to address corruption tied to his administration.

The former president of Senegal, Macky Sall, is set to be summoned to court due to discrepancies discovered in the nation’s treasury records during his time in office. An audit conducted by the office of oversight has unveiled alarming levels of mismanagement of public funds under his administration, raising serious questions about financial accountability.

Sall, who presided over the country from 2012 until 2024, is being accused of severe financial misgovernance. This follows an independent audit report that invalidated previously reported official data, significantly increasing estimates of the national debt and public deficit.

The audit report, released on February 12, indicates major inconsistencies in accounting practices, presenting a 2023 budget deficit of 12.3 percent, which is over twice the 4.9 percent deficit that was originally reported during Sall’s leadership.

Currently residing in Morocco since leaving office, President Sall has characterized these audit findings as politically charged and lacking objectivity. Government spokesperson Moustapha Sarre remarked that Sall might be regarded as the leader of a criminal gang and indicated that legal action against him is forthcoming.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who succeeded Sall following elections in March 2024, has pledged to distance his administration from Sall’s governance. Additionally, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a prominent critic of Sall, has committed to investigating what he describes as pervasive corruption during the former president’s rule.

In recent months, several former officials from Sall’s government have faced legal challenges, with one lawmaker closely affiliated with him now confronting charges of fraud and money laundering.

In conclusion, the summons of Macky Sall to court underscores the serious allegations of financial mismanagement during his presidency. The released audit report has cast doubt on the credibility of previous fiscal reports, prompting calls for accountability. As new leadership emerges, there is a commitment to investigate the corruption linked to the former administration, possibly leading to further legal repercussions for those involved.

Original Source: newscentral.africa