A dispute between Senegal's government and the National Assembly has escalated over the 2027 budget. The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning has denounced what it sees as inconsistencies in the parliamentary procedure surrounding the budget's examination. In a statement released on November 4, 2026, the ministry expressed concerns over a letter from the president of the Finance and Budget Control Commission.
The commission's president requested that the minister withdraw the 2027 initial finance bill, which was transmitted to the Assembly by presidential decree. This request was motivated by the rejection of the 2026 rectified finance law, which allegedly challenges the reference assumptions used to prepare the 2027 budget. However, the commission's president simultaneously convened a meeting for November 5 to begin examining the 2027 budget.
The Ministry of Finance questions the succession of initiatives and argues that the Assembly's procedure is flawed. According to the ministry, the internal rules of the Assembly require commissions to be convened at least 48 hours before their meeting, except in cases of urgency or specific situations. The ministry also notes that rejecting a rectified finance bill does not automatically entail withdrawing the following year's initial finance law.
The ministry cites the example of 2025, when the Assembly adopted the 2026 initial finance law on December 13, 2025, before examining and adopting a second rectified finance law for 2025 on December 30 of the same year. This precedent suggests that the current procedure may not be justified. The Ministry of Finance is led by Cheikh Diba.
Beyond procedural issues, the Ministry of Finance accuses the Assembly of obstruction. The ministry believes that these initiatives could compromise several government priorities, including public finance reform, economic recovery and payment arrears clearance. The ministry also warns of risks to state support for vulnerable populations and the respect of commitments made with workers' unions.
The Ministry of Finance emphasizes the need for responsibility in budgetary decisions and respect for laws and regulations. The ministry notes that budgetary choices have direct consequences on the daily lives of Senegalese people. Cheikh Diagne has made statements regarding these developments.
The situation remains tense between the government and the National Assembly. The Ministry of Finance has called for calm and urged the Assembly to respect the established procedures. The 2027 budget is a critical issue for Senegal's economic development and the government's priorities.
Key points
- The Ministry of Finance has denounced the Assembly's handling of the 2027 budget as obstruction.
Reporting sources
- WalFadjri · WalFadjri
