Me Moussa Diop Criticizes Government’s Compensation plan for Political Violence Victims
In a bold and viral statement, Me Moussa Diop, president of the political party Generational Alternation (AG/Jotna), has openly criticized the Senegalese government’s decision to compensate victims of the political violence that erupted between 2021 and 2024. Diop, a prominent lawyer and former leader of Dakar Dem Dikk (DDD) under Macky Sall, has raised serious concerns about the openness and legitimacy of the process, calling it a misuse of public funds.
In a widely circulated video, Diop argued that compensating political party activists with public money is unjustified. “When we were talking about rupture and good governance, we were not referring to this,” he stated. “When you decide to spend public money, you always have to give good justifications and say why you want to use it and how to use it.”
Diop emphasized that the identification of victims and the determination of responsible parties should be left to the justice system. “I think that before talking about compensation, it would first be necessary to identify the victims and determine the officials. And it is the work of justice,” he said. He highlighted the widespread damage caused during the demonstrations, including ransacked service stations and burned cars, stressing that all affected individuals deserve fair treatment.
The government’s release of a list of 2,179 individuals deemed eligible for compensation has further fueled Diop’s criticism. he argued that this move, made without judicial oversight, contradicts the principles of transparency and accountability promised by the current management. “Release a list of 2,179 people to say that they are victims and that they must be compensated when justice has not authorized it is not synonymous with the so promised rupture,” he lamented.
Diop also questioned the legality of the process, noting that advance decrees used to allocate public funds should have been ratified by the National Assembly. “if we have to spend public money through advance decrees, we must first bring these decrees to the National Assembly for ratification by deputies,” he explained. He expressed disappointment over the Assembly’s hasty approval of the initial finance law without debate, calling it a departure from the promised reforms.
In his concluding remarks, Diop urged the government to prioritize justice over financial compensation. “Rather of giving money to people to calm them down, it is indeed better to vote the law for the repeal of amnesty,” he asserted. He vowed to remain vigilant, stating, “I will always be there like a sentry of the Republic.”
| Key Points of Me Moussa Diop’s Critique |
|——————————————–|
| Issue | Compensation of political violence victims |
| main Concern | Misuse of public funds and lack of transparency |
| Proposed Solution | Judicial identification of victims and responsible parties |
| Criticism of Process | List of 2,179 victims released without judicial oversight |
| Legal Argument | Advance decrees should be ratified by the National Assembly |
| Final Call to action | Prioritize repealing amnesty laws over financial compensation |
Diop’s critique has sparked a broader debate about governance and accountability in Senegal, raising questions about the government’s approach to addressing political unrest. His call for transparency and justice resonates with many who seek a fair and equitable resolution to the aftermath of the demonstrations.For more insights into the political landscape of Senegal, explore related discussions on government compensation policies and the role of justice in political reforms.
