Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – In a radio appearance on the program “Rfm matin,” Ayib Daffé on Tuesday, the parliament’s minority leader of Yewwi Askan Wi (Yaw), avoided directly addressing the controversial issue of slush funds allocated to the President of the Republic Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The discussion centered around whether these funds would be eliminated to align with the goal of rationalizing public finances.

When questioned about the potential elimination of these funds, Daffé redirected the conversation to a finance law currently being implemented. This ambiguous stance has raised questions about the commitment to financial transparency and rationalization within the new regime.

Daffé’s reluctance to provide a clear answer was evident as he stated, “The President of the Republic will answer this question,” effectively deferring the responsibility. Despite repeated inquiries from host Babacar Fall, Daffé maintained a diplomatic tone, referring to the ongoing 2024 Finance Appropriation Act and the possibility of future debates if an amending finance law is introduced.

The Prime Minister has also been active in efforts to rationalize public spending, instructing ministers to report on recruitment, consultancy contracts, and advertising service contracts. However, the current finance law still includes provisions for slush funds, raising questions about the consistency of these rationalization efforts.

This apparent contradiction highlights a broader issue within the government’s approach to public finance. If slush funds remain untouched by rationalization efforts, it calls into question the rationale for reducing other private services. This was a key point that Ayib Daffé seemed intent on avoiding, leaving the public and political commentators speculating about the true intentions behind the government’s financial policies.