DAKAR, Senegal (BG) – President Bassirou Diomaye Faye vowed transparency Friday during Senegal’s 65th Independence anniversary, citing a newly published report revealing the country’s mounting debt and economic challenges.
Faye gave an exclusive interview to the national press, speaking live from the presidential palace.
The appearance offered an opportunity to reflect on his first year in office, outline the looming challenges, and reaffirm his vision of a sovereign, just, and prosperous Senegal.
“I was not elected to hide the truth from Senegalese people,” Faye said, referring to a newly released report on public finances covering 2019 to 2024. “This report, as challenging as it may be to read, is essential for establishing honest governance.”
The document, which reveals a significant budget deficit and public debt nearing 100% of the country’s GDP, is considered a bold act of political transparency.
The president’s remarks came at a sensitive time for the nation, as Senegal faces economic challenges.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently disclosed $7 billion in hidden debt accumulated during the final term of former Senegalese President Macky Sall.
“We take responsibility,” Faye said. “The task is complex, but we know where we are starting from and where we want to go.”
In his address, Faye called for a renewed “pact of trust” between institutions and citizens, signalling a break from what he described as the “optimistic yet often hollow rhetoric” of the past.
Observers say Faye’s frank acknowledgment of Senegal’s financial challenges could mark a turning point in the young leader’s administration, setting a tone of accountability as he seeks to guide one of West Africa’s most stable democracies through a difficult period.
