Senegalese lawmakers on Friday rejected for a second time a revised budget that is crucial to sealing a new programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to a statement from the country’s ruling party African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF).
The finance committee of Senegal’s National Assembly said last Tuesday it would review the revised budget it had initially rejected.
PASTEF cited lack of budgetary transparency, ineffective cost-of-living measures, and the government’s refusal to provide key documents or rationalise special funds as reasons for the rejection.
The deadlock could derail Senegal’s hopes of a board vote on a $2.2 billion, three-year IMF programme as early as next month.
Senegal has been grappling with a debt burden that had reached 132% of gross domestic product by the end of 2024, IMF figures show, after the government discovered billions of Dollars in misreported borrowing by the previous administration.
The amended 2026 budget cuts real Gross Domestic Product growth to 2.7% from roughly 5% and widens the deficit to 7.6% of GDP from 5.4%
–Reuters–
