The new authorities have their work cut out for them. With their slogan Jub-Jubal-Jubanti, they will not lack material. Because corruption is a reality in our tropics and causes the State to lose a lot of money. « Between 2015 and 2016, the State of Senegal lost 118 billion CFA francs due to corruption, » revealed Saliou Diop, a lawyer. According to the teacher-researcher and anti-corruption specialist, who gave a presentation on the legal framework of OFNAC yesterday, during a training session for journalists on the prevention and fight against corruption organized by Amnesty International and Civil Society, the losses related to this scourge recorded last year are greater. « Unfortunately, a similar unpublished Ofnac study in 2024, indicates that between February 2023 and February 2024 more than 118 billion is lost due to corruption, » he informed, refraining from revealing the exact amount of this loss.

Urgency of the next Assembly: THE 2025 BUDGET IS THE NEW PROJECT

According to him, this money could be used to build schools, hospitals and other infrastructure to develop our economy. The phenomenon of corruption, which is global, also causes enormous losses in Africa. According to Saliou Diop, 26,000 billion euros are lost due to corruption, or 5% of global GDP. According to him, annual losses are estimated at 146 billion euros, or 25% of Africa’s GDP. In developing countries, he continues, funds lost due to corruption represent 10%. This shows the prevalence of corruption both in Africa and in our country. However, the teacher-researcher is pleased that corruption is taken into account by the Constitution of Senegal. « This is the first time in the constitutional history of Senegal that the notion of corruption and bribery is taken into account. In the 2016 Constitution, all citizens are asked to contribute to the fight against corruption and bribery, » he said, while emphasizing that there is a range of texts on corruption in the country.

By Justin GOMIS / justin@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH