Institutional tensions: Inside the latest standoff between the government and Pastef

The examination of Senegal’s 2027 initial finance bill has set the government against the National Assembly’s Finance and Budgetary Control Committee, led by Pastef. Economy and Finance Minister Cheikh Diba accused the committee chair of obstruction after the chair requested on November 3, 2026, that the bill be withdrawn and revised on the basis of the 2026 initial budget, following rejection of the 2026 supplementary finance bill. The ministry argues that the rejection does not require the 2027 budget’s withdrawal and says the committee was called on November 4 to examine the bill the next day, short of the usual 48-hour notice. It warned that the moves could jeopardize public-finance consolidation, economic recovery and the settlement of payment arrears.