Amidst mounting criticism and challenges concerning the convocation of the Parliament’s extraordinary session, National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko stepped forward this Monday. He sought to clarify the legal framework governing the proceedings, detail the extensive agenda, and dispel what he termed “amalgams.” With five legislative texts slated for review and the establishment of six investigative commissions, debates are poised to be highly charged, fueled by sharp denunciations from opposition figures like Thierno Alassane Sall and pointed remarks from presidential advisor Aldiouma Sow.
Five significant bills on the parliamentary agenda
Ousmane Sonko initiated the proceedings, presiding over yesterday’s plenary session marking the opening of the first extraordinary session of 2026. He challenged his critics, affirming the Parliament’s commitment to completing its work. He reiterated the session’s agenda, which encompasses five crucial draft and proposed laws. Three originate from the government, and two from the Parliament itself. Deputies are tasked with scrutinizing Bill N°15-2026, which outlines the Labor Code; Bill N°16-2026, pertaining to the Social Security Code; and Bill N°25-2026, focused on the protection of critical infrastructure and digital security.
However, particular attention is drawn to Proposed Law N°33-2026, seeking to amend Article 37 of the Constitution, and Proposed Law N°34-2026, concerning the legal framework for special credits. These two proposals will undergo an expedited procedure at the request of their sponsors, with the detailed work schedule to be determined by the Conference of Presidents.
Six inquiry commissions under scrutiny
Concurrently, the session is set to approve the establishment of six parliamentary inquiry commissions. Their investigations will delve into highly sensitive areas, notably deficiencies in land management, the transfer of state-owned properties, and the utilization of financial mechanisms such as Total Return Swaps (TRS).
Parliamentarians also aim to shed light on irregularities within the “One Student, One Computer” program, revenue shortfalls, the administration of tax exemptions, and the conditions governing the allocation and renewal of fishing licenses.
A two-speed timeline: “commissions have six months”
Regarding these commissions, Ousmane Sonko firmly sought to dispel any ambiguity concerning the duration of their investigations. “It was never stated that parliamentary inquiry commissions would convene and complete their work within fifteen days,” he clarified. In adherence to Article 55 of the internal regulations, each commission will comprise a maximum of eleven deputies, appointed proportionally across parliamentary groups. Once the resolution is ratified in plenary by an absolute majority and without debate, the commission will elect its leadership, consisting of a president, two vice-presidents, and a rapporteur.
“They will have six months, six months at most, to conduct their work and submit their report to the Bureau of the National Assembly,” asserted the President of the National Assembly, emphasizing that Article 58 permits work to continue outside of session periods. “I wanted to provide these clarifications to avoid certain confusions,” he underscored.
Earlier, the head of the majority addressed detractors 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 with 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 decision by the Bureau, a written request from the majority of deputies, or a presidential initiative. Those who argue that the Bureau lacks the power to convene an extraordinary session have misunderstood the legal framework, according to the majority leader.
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Thierno Alassane Sall criticizes Pastef’s stance This clarification did little to temper the opposition’s fervor. Present in the hemicycle during this extraordinary session, Thierno Alassane Sall addressed a different pressing issue. The unaffiliated deputy vehemently denounced the ruling power’s position regarding the organization of upcoming local elections, following comments made by Ousmane Sonko in Jolof accusing the opposition of seeking a postponement. “Everyone has witnessed the FDR’s stance. 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 scheme and ultimately surprise everyone,” declared the leader of La République des Valeurs. Referring to the dissolution of the Assembly in 2024, the deputy condemned the lack of transparency surrounding the Constitutional Council’s opinions: “They had the answer, and I had written to the Constitutional Council requesting them to make their decision public. But the seven sages refused. Sometimes, the Constitutional Council acts 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 criticized the National Assembly’s lack of transparency. In his view, Ousmane Sonko should lead by example within the hemicycle. Political defiance and denunciation of “messianic management” The offensive also continued on the political front. Via his Facebook page, Aldiouma Sow launched a scathing attack on the parliamentary majority, highlighting 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 repudiation of a messianic management of the Hemicycle, whose vital prognosis is engaged. The culmination of this repudiation must be the public determination of patriotic and republican deputies, whose seats are today threatened by former ministers, Sonko-dependents, careerists recycled as technical advisors of the day, lurking in the shadow of the Messiah-impostor’s cabinet, eagerly awaiting to take their places in the event of a new legislature.” |
