During the inaugural session of Senegal’s extraordinary legislative year 2026-2027, Assembly President Ousmane Sonko addressed concerns regarding the legality of six parliamentary inquiry commissions scheduled for review. His clarification came as part of a broader discussion on the session’s agenda, which includes eleven legislative texts—spanning two proposed laws, three government bills, and six requests for inquiry commissions.
Legal framework takes precedence in inquiry commission debates
Sonko emphasized the legal boundaries governing such initiatives, stating before lawmakers: « The law explicitly prohibits the National Assembly from establishing a parliamentary commission on cases already under judicial review ». He further confirmed having personally verified this compliance with the Minister of Justice. « Following direct consultation with the Keeper of the Seals, I received confirmation last week that out of the five primary cases in question, only one—the land management investigation around Dakar’s former airport—remains under judicial scrutiny », he explained.
Session agenda prioritizes transparency and accountability
The session, capped at fifteen days under Organic Law No. 2025-11 (August 18, 2025), will scrutinize critical national issues. Key topics include:
- The management of land adjacent to Dakar’s former airport;
- The « One Student, One Laptop » program;
- Revenue losses and tax exemptions;
- Fishing license issuance conditions.
Sonko’s remarks underscore a commitment to aligning legislative actions with Senegal’s legal framework while pursuing transparency in governance.
