A man in traditional attire speaking at a formal event with the Senegal flag behind him.
Senegal’s new IMF agreement has become a flashpoint in an increasingly tense political environment, with lawmakers challenging Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo’s defense of the program. The deal aims to restructure roughly $3.5 billion in payment arrears by extending debt maturities and renegotiating interest rates. The government also plans to renegotiate roughly 30 mining contracts. Lo, during an address to parliament, outlined these plans, arguing that the IMF remains essential to managing Senegal’s macroeconomic position. However, opposition lawmakers disagreed with Lo, accusing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration of surrendering national sovereignty to the fund. The clash also exposed a widening rift between Faye and his former ally, Assembly Speaker and ruling-party leader Ousmane Sonko, who have disagreed over the IMF program and other issues.