The Senegalese branch of Transparency International, the Civil Forum, welcomes the progress made in public governance, but calls for greater clarity on the management of funds intended for Bakel victims and on the new tax introduced by the government as part of the Economic and Social Recovery Plan (PRES). In a statement released Monday, titled "The Test of Transparency in the Governance of Public Affairs," the Civil Forum notes that the government and the Court of Auditors have fulfilled their obligation to publish the overall situation of public finances covering the period 2019 to March 31, 2024, in accordance with current regulations. The organization also welcomes the recent adoption of four major laws strengthening transparency: the creation of the National Office for the Fight against Corruption (OFNAC), the declaration of assets, the protection of whistleblowers, and access to public information. For the Civil Forum, these texts constitute "significant progress towards responsible and sustainable governance." However, he calls on the authorities to continue an open dialogue and to ensure transparent implementation of these reforms.

Bakel still waiting for the promised 8 billion

The Civil Forum draws attention to the management of aid announced for victims of the 2024 floods in the departments of Bakel, Matam and Podor.

"The government had authorized, via the amended finance law of December 31, 2024, compensation of eight billion CFA francs, the release of which was confirmed by the Prime Minister. The Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation had also indicated that beneficiaries had benefited from direct monetary transfers. But on the ground, the official version is disputed. The mayor of Ballou, one of the hardest-hit municipalities, as well as several residents of the Bakel department, claim not to have received any financial support," the text recalls. Faced with this controversy, the Civil Forum believes that it is "necessary to inform the Senegalese about the use and actual destination of the eight billion CFA francs" announced for the victims.

A little-known tax that raises questions

The organization is also concerned about the lack of information surrounding the new tax called “receipt stamp,” established by Law No. 2025-17 of September 27, 2025. Set at 1% on all cash payments, except for exceptions specified by a ministerial decree, this measure surprised citizens, who learned about it from private actors rather than through official channels. The Civil Forum calls on the government to publish the implementing decree without delay in order to inform taxpayers about the products concerned and avoid any confusion. The Civil Forum calls on the authorities to continue transparency and fiscal consolidation reforms, guarantee access to information on disaster relief mechanisms, and preserve household purchasing power, already weakened by the high cost of living, while effectively mobilizing internal resources.