The president of the Senegalese League for Human Rights (LSDH), Alassane Seck, spoke on several hot topics in the national news: the hunt for financial offenders, the economic situation, flooding, and the state of civil liberties in Senegal. A guest on iRadio's Sunday Jury, he delivered an uncompromising assessment and concrete proposals.

Fight against corruption: The key role of CENTIF

Alassane Seck praised the work of the National Financial Information Processing Unit (CENTIF), which he considers an essential tool in the fight against money laundering and embezzlement of public funds. "CENTIF is there to track down financial offenders. Banks report suspicious transactions, and all it takes is traceability to justify it," he said. According to him, vigilance must be constant, especially in a country where "billions can disappear while patients die for lack of care or medical equipment." "When we talk about billions being embezzled, we must realize that we are putting lives in danger. It's criminal," he insisted, praising the efforts of the Financial Judicial Unit (PJF) and calling for "greater rigor and transparency in public management."

Economic situation: A difficult, but necessary transition

Economically, Mr. Seck acknowledges that the transition period between the old and new regimes is marked by painful adjustments, but he remains optimistic. "It's a transition, there are bound to be turbulence. But salaries and pensions are being paid, institutions are functioning. This is a sign of stability," he said. However, he notes a slowdown in certain sectors, particularly construction, due to the current financial prudence. "There was a temporary blockage in the land and construction sectors, but this should not last. We need to get construction sites moving quickly to get the economy moving again."

Floods and climate change: “It’s not just a government issue”

Questioned about the recurrence of floods, particularly in Touba, Matam, and Bakel, the human rights defender called for a realistic interpretation of the phenomenon. "Floods are not new. I saw Abdoulaye Wade, in 2000, take a canoe to visit flooded areas. It's a structural problem, amplified by climate change," he said. For him, poor urban planning has worsened the situation in Touba and other areas. "Touba has become a megacity without a sanitation plan. People settle wherever they want. This is the result of decades of laissez-faire." He urged people to avoid the politicization of natural disasters. "Floods must not be used politically. Even major powers like France, China, and the United States are suffering the effects of climate change."

Public freedoms: “Reforms are slow, and that’s worrying”

On the human rights front, Alassane Seck expressed deep concern about the repeated summonses of activists and journalists, which he considered a negative signal. "We were expecting more freedom, more justice. But since the change of regime, we have seen a delay in the promised reforms," he lamented. He pointed to the absence of new laws on detention, freedom of expression, and the protection of human rights defenders. "The penal code has not been amended since 2016. We are awaiting the creation of the liberty and detention judge, as well as laws protecting whistleblowers and human rights defenders." While acknowledging that "certain abuses of language" on social media or in the media must be regulated, he insisted on the need for balance. "Freedom of expression ends where that of others begins, but it must be guaranteed by clear and modern laws."

On the cabinet reshuffle and the issue of begging: “Zero tolerance, but with dignity”

Alassane Seck praised the commitment of the new Interior Minister, Bamba, while calling for social policies to support decisions such as the fight against begging. "I support zero tolerance for begging, especially among children. But we also need social and educational alternatives. We cannot hunt without support," he concluded.