Meeting in an expanded session, the Citizens' Awakening movement raised the alarm about the political, institutional and financial situation in Senegal, in a context marked by growing citizen expectations and revelations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concerning a hidden debt estimated at nearly 7 billion dollars.

A country at a crossroads

According to the meeting's conclusions, Senegal is facing a series of crises that, if left unchecked, could lead to unprecedented political and institutional instability. The movement believes that "the current situation demands composure, responsibility, and clarity in public action," calling for the avoidance of any excesses that could exacerbate the already fragile social and economic fabric.

A hidden debt that raises questions about public governance

The revelation of unreported debt, incurred between 2019 and 2024 and now confirmed by the IMF, is, for the citizen movement Sursaut, a worrying symbol of a lack of transparency in the management of public resources. It also highlights the weakness of democratic oversight: the National Assembly, meant to represent and protect the interests of the sovereign people, has allegedly failed in its oversight role.

Faced with this situation, Sursaut citoyen advocates for an independent citizen audit tasked with determining the origin, structure and beneficiaries of this debt, in order to fuel a serious national debate on possible solutions: payment, restructuring or refusal.

Rebuilding the State to meet the expectations of the people

The movement believes the country must not be distracted by what it considers secondary "power struggles." The priority, the secretariat members assert, must be the systemic reform of the state, in accordance with the aspirations expressed by the Senegalese people.

Citizen uprising thus calls for the building of a new Republic founded on transparency, public efficiency, institutional justice and citizen participation.

Two commissions to inform the national debate

To make a structured contribution to the ongoing discussions, Sursaut Citoyen has established two thematic commissions: one tasked with thoroughly analyzing the issues surrounding hidden debt and proposing criteria for assessing possible options: payment, restructuring, or rejection; and a second dedicated to drafting a manifesto for institutional reform, intended to serve as a basis for dialogue with political actors, civil society, experts, and stakeholders in the National Pact for Good Democratic Governance.

The return of "Citizen Conversations"

In the same vein, the movement announces the upcoming relaunch of "Citizen Conversations" at the Radisson, a space for exchanges open to signatories of the pact and all engaged citizens.

These meetings will address, in particular, hidden debt, avenues for transforming the State and other issues deemed essential to guaranteeing the stability and progress of the country.

A reaffirmed commitment to exemplary governance

In conclusion, Sursaut citoyen reiterates its determination to defend a transparent, responsible governance faithful to the aspirations of the Senegalese people, recalling that the country must imperatively strengthen its institutions to face the challenges ahead.