Senegalese Prime Minister: The government is heading towards drastic reforms
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presented to Parliament on Friday the general policy of his government for the next five years, more than 8 months after assuming office.
The Senegalese government’s general policy included many issues, including the current regime’s intention to cancel the amnesty law issued last March by former President Macky Sall, which pertains to political violence that claimed the lives of dozens of demonstrators against the regime between 2021 and 2024.
In his government’s general policy, Sonko pledged to carry out tax reform, by broadening the tax base and gradually reducing average tax rates, with the aim of making Senegalese pay less, but making everyone pay, in order to achieve an efficient and fair tax system.
Sonko stressed that Senegal will withdraw from all bilateral agreements involving tax havens, and will renegotiate unfavorable clauses in agreements concluded with countries with normal tax systems.
Regarding the visa issue, Sonko spoke about Senegal’s move towards applying the principle of reciprocity in issuing visas to citizens of some countries that require them from our citizens.
This measure concerns countries classified under categories “B” and “C,” including most European countries such as France.
The decision also includes the United States.
On the issue of Senegalese sovereignty, Sonko recalled President Bassirou Diomaye Afai’s earlier announcement of the move to close French military bases in the country, and expressed his hope that the reform carried out by the Central Bank of West African States in 2019 regarding the CFA franc would be ratified, with the aim of creating the “Eco” currency adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Sonko urged the National Assembly president to speed up the ratification of this reform because it really represents a step forward in our desire to have a single currency, within a community framework.
Regarding the issue of irregular migration, which claims the lives of young Senegalese on their way to Europe every week, the Senegalese Prime Minister promised to strengthen measures by strengthening controls and tightening penalties, but also to support voluntary return initiatives.
On the education front, Sonko pledged to promote linguistic multiplicity by generalizing the teaching of English at the primary level of education, and using national languages in the education and training system.
