Senegal: Ex-president Macky Sall summoned to appear in court over his management of public finances
A historic trial for the ex-president
Former Senegalese president Macky Sall, who led the country from 2012 to 2024, will be summoned to court for “extremely serious acts” linked to public finance management. The government accuses him of being responsible for “false figures” revealed in a report on public finances. If prosecuted, this will mark the first time a former head of state has been brought to justice for acts committed during his term of office since Senegal’s independence in 1960.
Serious accusations of financial mismanagement
Government spokesman Moustapha Ndjekk Sarré asserted that Macky Sall would be “primarily responsible” for the acts in question. He added that the political leader could be considered “the gang leader” behind these criminal acts. These statements come after the Court of Auditors’ report, published on February 12, 2025, highlighted irregularities in the management of public finances under Sall’s presidency.
The Cour des Comptes report and the ex-president’s reaction
Minister Sarré stressed that the Cour des Comptes is a credible institution and that the management described in the report should be attributed directly to the ex-president. He insisted that Macky Sall should ask for forgiveness, but that if justice concludes that he is innocent, he will be spared.
The High Court of Justice and judicial procedure
At the end of December, the National Assembly set up the High Court of Justice, a body empowered to judge the President of the Republic and members of the government on charges of “high treason”. The Court of Auditors’ report refers to “mismanagement, de facto management or criminal offences”, with outstanding debt reaching 99.67% of GDP, an amount higher than that announced by the previous regime.
Conclusion
Macky Sall now faces a judicial process that could have major consequences for his reputation and Senegal’s political future. The decision of the independent and impartial judiciary will be decisive in this historic case.
