IMF
Lawmakers have rejected the government’s proposed budget, dealing a setback to efforts to secure a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the country grapples with mounting debt pressures. The vote complicates negotiations with the lender, which has been seeking credible fiscal reforms and a clearer plan to address Senegal’s deteriorating public finances. The West African nation is facing significant economic challenges following the discovery of previously undisclosed debt, which has pushed its debt burden higher than earlier reported. The IMF suspended its programme in 2024 while assessing the scale of the liabilities and the government’s plans to restore fiscal stability. The latest parliamentary setback adds another layer of uncertainty to those efforts, raising questions about the government’s ability to secure political support for the difficult reforms needed to restore investor confidence and unlock international financing.