DAKAR, 01 Nov. - (ANA) - Senegal's Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo on Monday promised to solve the battle over the budget between members of the ruling Pastef party as the country counts down for the start of the 2026 Youth Olympic games on Saturday.

Pastef MPs refused last Friday to vote for the supplementary budget law in the the National Assembly’s finance and budgetary control committee.

 

They say ordinary Senegalese people will bear the burden of Lo's cuts on public spending. They also say there needs to be greater clarity on how multi-million euro loans are being spent. Another debate on the budget will be held on Tuesday in the National Assembly.

 

 

 

 

The Games, however, are being staged in a time of financial turmoil for Senegal.

 

The country's public debt was estimated at 132 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) at the end of 2024.

 

On 27 October, MPs from the Pastef party, which holds a large majority in the National Assembly, blocked a revised 2026 budget bill. It was referred back to a parliamentary committee in a bid to reach a compromise between the government and the bill's opponents.

 

The budget is being presented as a key measure to solving the crisis, and allowing potential access to extra funds.

 

In September, the International Monetary Fund announced a preliminary agreement with Senegal on a new €1.93 billion aid programme over 36 months. However, the plan is subject to certain conditions.

 

"If MPs consider it to be in the people’s interests, they will adopt it. If they believe it is not good for the country, they will reject it,” said Ousmane Sonko, the National Assembly speaker. - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/01 November 2026 - - -