A wave of discontent is sweeping through Senegal’s tax administration following the decision to place several agents under electronic surveillance.
The move, aimed at property and tax officials amid ongoing judicial investigations, has been strongly condemned by the Autonomous Union of Tax and Property Agents (SAID), which has described the measure as a serious affront to professional integrity.
Though the individuals subjected to the electronic monitoring have not been officially named, SAID views the action as a collective humiliation for staff within the General Directorate of Taxes and Domains (DGID).
In a statement released by its National Executive Board, the union denounced what it calls a “degrading and disproportionate” sanction, insisting that the implicated agents were simply fulfilling their legal duties within the scope of tax enforcement.
“For SAID, these colleagues are civil servants operating in the public interest, not criminals,” the union said.
“Subjecting them to electronic tagging undermines not only their personal dignity but also the credibility of the entire institution.”
The controversy strikes at the heart of a broader debate in Senegal regarding the protection of civil servants in the execution of state functions—especially in domains as sensitive as tax collection, where the line between legal enforcement and political interpretation can blur.
The SAID has warned that if the situation is not urgently reviewed, it may resort to industrial action.
While reiterating respect for the rule of law, the union emphasized that sanctions should follow, not precede, a fair judicial process. “Punishment before proof threatens the very foundation of public service,” it stated.
Amid mounting tension, the DGID finds itself under a dual pressure: maintaining transparency and efficiency in revenue mobilization while preserving the trust and morale of its workforce. The coming days are likely to test both the resolve of the authorities and the unity of Senegal’s civil service.
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