Crise de la dette : Le « J’accuse » d’Alioune Tine contre le FMI et le gouvernement du Sénégal
As Senegal navigates a period of severe economic turmoil, leading civil society figure Alioune Tine has spoken out. In a scathing indictment delivered on the sidelines of Friday's launch of the Ndiaye-Kessler report, the founder of Afrikajom Center holds the government and international financial institutions accountable for the debt crisis, which has become a matter of survival and human rights.
For the human rights advocate who addressed the issue during the Agora/Penc event, the debt crisis is no longer a simple accounting equation, but a generational peril threatening the Senegalese people. "The debt crisis is a test for this regime. It is even its defining test. The success or failure of this strategy will be judged," he emphasized. "In case of failure, we will not be the only victims. Future generations could also be affected," he warned gravely.
While welcoming the opportunity the Ndiaye-Kessler report offers to the people, Tine vehemently denounces the fact that Senegalese taxpayers are not involved in the negotiations surrounding this debt and in the search for mitigation options that will undoubtedly impact their lives, given that "every debt incurred is a tax for the future." "We are the ones who pay the debt. Therefore, we have a say," he declares emphatically.
Behind these astronomical figures and rates (between 119% and 130% of GDP), he sees the faces of thousands of "gorgorlou" Senegalese who will be severely impacted without even having a clear idea of the real issues.
"For us, the question of debt is: what are we going to eat tomorrow? Will we be able to pay for our children's schooling?", he confides.
The IMF in the dock
In his scathing indictment, Alioune Tine directly challenged the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While the debate over the "hidden debt," estimated at several billion dollars under Macky Sall's presidency, continues to roil the Republic, Alioune Tine refuses to exonerate the Washington-based institution.
“The IMF bears full responsibility. It cannot claim ignorance,” he insists, echoing Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s line of defense. For Tine, “the IMF owes the Senegalese people explanations” and can no longer simply impose “solutions” without genuine consultation with the population who ultimately foot the bill.
According to him, debt repayment must never come at the expense of economic and social rights. He calls on lenders to include "respect for human rights" in negotiations, which he considers a higher priority than any other consideration. "Fundamental human rights must be respected, particularly economic, social, and cultural rights. This is a very strong recommendation from many economists. (...) We want to pay the debt, but we also need to live and develop," Mr. Tine insists.
Warning of a potential domino effect that the Senegalese situation could have on the Uemoa banking system where the State has been raising funds for some time, he calls for the outright cancellation of the debt.
Alioune Tine is urging the Senegalese government, particularly the Prime Minister who is stubbornly refusing to move towards restructuring, to stop making decisions behind closed doors. "The government can't just throw something at us (an option, editor's note) and leave us to suffer the consequences tomorrow," he concludes.
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