The President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, inaugurated the first extraordinary parliamentary session of the year in Senegal on Monday, August 10. Over a fortnight, lawmakers are set to deliberate on five legislative proposals, including two urgent bills introduced by the ruling Pastef party. These initiatives underscore the ongoing political friction between the Prime Minister’s faction and that of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
This extraordinary session unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension. Pastef has notably brought back to the agenda the amendment of Article 37 of the Constitution, which would mandate the head of state to declare their assets at the conclusion of their term, in addition to the declaration required upon assuming office.
This very provision was part of a constitutional revision previously adopted by deputies in late June. However, the Constitutional Council subsequently invalidated the text, delivering a setback to Ousmane Sonko’s allies. The current parliamentary endeavor seeks to reintroduce this reform through an alternative legislative approach.
The second bill championed by the majority focuses on special credits, colloquially known as ‘secret funds’. These allocations, disbursed to the presidency and the prime minister’s office, could face enhanced scrutiny, potentially facilitated by a select committee of parliamentarians.
Oversight of special credits at the heart of the disagreement
The administration of these funds stands as a primary point of contention between Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This very dispute played a role in accelerating the rift between the two political figures last May.
According to Moussa Diaw, a professor of political science at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, these legislative initiatives demonstrate Pastef’s determination to compel the president towards greater transparency and accountability. The academic also draws a connection between this parliamentary offensive and Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s recent establishment of his new political party, Kiiraay.
The two politically charged texts are slated for examination under an urgent procedure. Nevertheless, their eventual adoption will hinge on the final substance of parliamentary debates and, where applicable, the review by the Constitutional Council.
Additionally, the session includes three government-sponsored bills. These proposals address reforms to the Social Security Code, the Labor Code, and the critical area of digital security.
The digital security bill emerges following a series of cyberattacks targeting Senegalese public institutions. Since October, three institutions have reportedly been compromised, including the Public Treasury. This proposed legislation aims to establish a robust framework for bolstering the protection of state digital infrastructure and sensitive data.
