« À l'impossible nul n'est tenu » : Ousmane Sonko annonce une hausse probable des prix à l'Assemblée
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko acknowledged this Friday, May 22, 2026, before the National Assembly, that the government could no longer rule out a rise in fuel prices in a context of high international tensions and increasing budgetary pressure. Addressing members of parliament during the question period, the head of government described a particularly difficult global economic situation, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East and soaring oil prices. "We are in a double crisis. All countries have increased fuel prices due to the crisis in the Middle East," he stated. According to him, Senegal is bearing the brunt of the consequences of an extremely unstable oil market. He reminded them that the Finance Law had been drafted based on oil price forecasts that are now far outdated. "The budget was passed based on a forecast for the price of a barrel of oil, which is now double that," he explained.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the repercussions extend beyond just fuel prices to encompass the entire national economy. "The impact isn't limited to fuel, but affects all sectors. Insurers are even refusing to cover certain ships transporting fuel from the Gulf," he stated. In this context, Ousmane Sonko revealed that energy subsidies could now exceed 1 trillion CFA francs, representing nearly one-fifth of the national budget. Despite this situation, he assured that the government continues to prioritize protecting the purchasing power of the population. "We inherited an unsustainable debt, but our priority remains social: improving the lives of our people," he maintained. The Prime Minister cautioned, however, that the state could not indefinitely withstand the pressure of international markets. "This doesn't mean we won't raise prices, because no one is obligated to do the impossible." "We will resist as far as possible," he warned.
For him, the challenge now is to find a balance between taxation and public support. "The State currently subsidizes more than it taxes," he insisted, mentioning the need to avoid a harsh application of "true pricing," which could severely penalize consumers. The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of agricultural subsidies, estimated at around 130 billion CFA francs. According to him, the main problem lies in the poor targeting of aid. "Seeds and fertilizers absorb the bulk of the subsidies, but these resources are often misappropriated," he denounced. The Government therefore wishes to redirect funding towards agricultural mechanization and the installation of boreholes in order to promote productive agriculture throughout the year.
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