Ousmane Sonko calls for publication of memorandum negotiated with IMF

Ousmane Sonko has asked the government to make public the memorandum on economic and financial policies associated with the proposed technical agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The position, issued in a personal capacity, comes as the agreement announced by the IMF and the Senegalese executive still requires approval by the financial institution’s Executive Board.

The President of the National Assembly, who is also secretary-general of Pastef, considers full transparency necessary regarding the content of the commitments envisaged in Senegal’s name.

Debt, reforms and audits at the heart of the questions

Ousmane Sonko believes that neither the IMF’s communications nor those of the government set out the terms of the proposal in detail. He notably raises the issue of how public debt will be handled, as well as that of the reforms referred to in the Fund’s statement.

These reforms notably concern the sustainability of public finances, the protection of vulnerable households, domestic revenue mobilisation, expenditure control, social protection mechanisms, oversight of public enterprises and improving the business climate.

He also questions what will become of the international debt audits that had been requested.

A call for institutional debate

According to Ousmane Sonko, negotiations of this kind result in a joint document approved by both parties: the memorandum on economic and financial policies. He is calling for its publication so that citizens can know about and debate the commitments being considered.

Failing publication, he wants the text to be submitted to the National Assembly. He further notes that the main policy directions adopted could be included in an amending finance bill or in the 2027 finance bill, which is expected to be presented to lawmakers in October 2026. He sees this as a possible framework for parliamentary debate on the agreement with the IMF.