Amidst a backdrop of criticism and contention surrounding the convocation of the extraordinary parliamentary session, National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko took the floor this Monday. He aimed to clarify the legal framework governing the proceedings, outline the detailed agenda, and dispel what he termed ‘amalgams’. With five legislative texts slated for review and the establishment of six investigative commissions, discussions are anticipated to be highly charged, fueled by sharp attacks from opposition figures like Thierno Alassane Sall and the pointed remarks of presidential advisor Aldiouma Sow.
Five key legislative texts on the parliamentary agenda
Ousmane Sonko initiated the proceedings yesterday, presiding over the plenary session that marked the opening of the first extraordinary session of 2026. He challenged detractors, affirming the Parliament’s commitment to completing its work. He reiterated the session’s agenda, which centers on five significant bills and proposed laws. Three originate from the government, and two from the Parliament itself. Deputies are set to examine Bill n°15-2026 concerning the Labor Code, Bill n°16-2026 on the Social Security Code, and Bill n°25-2026 related to the protection of critical infrastructure and digital security.
However, particular attention is drawn to proposed law n°33-2026, which seeks to amend Article 37 of the Constitution, and proposed law n°34-2026, pertaining to the legal framework for special credits. Both these proposals will undergo an urgent procedure, as requested by their proponents, with the Conference of Presidents responsible for determining the detailed work schedule.
Six investigative commissions in focus
Concurrently, the session is tasked with formally establishing six parliamentary inquiry commissions. Their investigations will delve into highly sensitive issues, including deficiencies in land management, the transfer of state-owned built heritage properties, and the application of financial mechanisms such as TRS.
Parliamentarians also intend to shed light on irregularities within the “One student, one computer” program, instances of revenue abandonment, the administration of tax exemptions, and the terms for allocating and renewing fishing licenses.
A two-speed timeline: “commissions have six months”
Regarding these commissions, Ousmane Sonko emphatically clarified the duration of their investigations. “It was never stated that parliamentary inquiry commissions would convene and complete their work within fifteen days,” he asserted. In accordance with Article 55 of the internal regulations, each commission will comprise a maximum of eleven deputies, appointed proportionally to their respective groups. Once the resolution is ratified in plenary by an absolute majority and without debate, the commission will elect its bureau, consisting of a president, two vice-presidents, and a rapporteur.
“They will have six months, at most, to complete their work and submit their report to the Bureau of the National Assembly,” the President of the National Assembly emphasized, reminding that Article 58 permits work to continue outside of session periods. “I wanted to make these clarifications to avoid certain confusions,” he underscored.
Earlier, the head of the majority had addressed his critics who questioned the National Assembly Bureau’s authority to convene an extraordinary session. “Since the convocation of this extraordinary session, much information has been disseminated that does not align with reality or the truth of the texts,” he stated at the outset of his remarks, referencing the Constitution and the National Assembly’s internal regulations.
Invoking Article 7 of the latter text, he specified that a session can result from a Bureau decision, a written request from the majority of deputies, or a presidential initiative. Those who argue that the Bureau is not empowered to convene an extraordinary session have misunderstood, according to the majority leader.
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Thierno Alassane Sall criticizes Pastef’s stance This clarification did little to quell the opposition’s fervor. Thierno Alassane Sall, an unaffiliated deputy present in the chamber during the extraordinary session, seized the opportunity to address a different pressing issue. He vehemently denounced the ruling power’s position regarding the organization of upcoming local elections, especially after Ousmane Sonko’s remarks in Jolof accusing the opposition of seeking a postponement. “Everyone has witnessed the FDR’s position. We demand timely elections. Elections must be held, and discussions with political actors are essential to understand what is causing delays. That is democracy and transparency, not locking oneself in an office to concoct schemes to ultimately surprise everyone,” declared the leader of La République des Valeurs. Referring to the dissolution of the Assembly in 2024, the deputy criticized the opacity surrounding the Constitutional Council’s opinions: “They had the answer, and I had written to the Constitutional Council asking it to make its decision public. But the seven sages refused. Sometimes, the Constitutional Council does as it pleases. This time again, the president asked it. Let it publish the decision.” He then added, dismissing the government’s accusations: “So, let them not exhaust us. We all agree that elections must be held on schedule.” Regarding the debate on political funds, the deputy also highlighted the National Assembly’s lack of transparency. For him, Ousmane Sonko should lead by example within the legislative body. Political defiance and denunciation of “messianic management” The offensive continued on the political front. Via his Facebook page, Aldiouma Sow launched scathing criticism against the parliamentary majority, specifically pointing to absenteeism during the opening session. “The 34% absenteeism today in the National Assembly signals a deep malaise within the ranks of our parliamentary majority, usurped by the Messiah-impostor. We are undoubtedly witnessing the irreversible disavowal of a messianic management of the Chamber, whose vital prognosis is engaged. The culmination of this disavowal must be the public determination of patriotic and republican deputies, whose seats are now threatened by former ministers, Sonko-dependents, careerists recycled as technical advisors of the day, lurking in the shadows of the Messiah-impostor’s cabinet, eagerly awaiting to seize these positions in the event of a new legislature.” |
