Facing a wave of criticism and challenges regarding the convocation of Parliament’s extraordinary session, National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko stepped forward this Monday. He aimed to clarify the legal framework governing the proceedings, detail the agenda, and dispel what he termed as ‘misconceptions’. With five legislative texts slated for review and the establishment of six investigative commissions, debates are set to be highly charged, fueled by sharp accusations from opposition figures such as Thierno Alassane Sall, and pointed remarks from Aldiouma Sow, a minister-advisor to the President of the Republic.
Five key legislative proposals on the parliamentary agenda
Ousmane Sonko initiated proceedings yesterday, presiding over the plenary session marking the opening of the first extraordinary session of 2026. He challenged his detractors, asserting that Parliament would fully complete its mandate. He reiterated the session’s agenda, which revolves around five significant draft and proposed laws. Three originate from the government, and two from Parliament itself. Deputies are tasked with examining Bill n°15-2026, concerning 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 Bill n°33-2026, which seeks to amend Article 37 of the Constitution, and proposed Bill n°34-2026, addressing the legal framework for special credits. These two proposals will undergo an urgent procedure at the request of their sponsors, with the detailed work schedule to be determined by the Conference of Presidents.
Six investigative commissions under scrutiny
Concurrently, the session is expected to endorse the establishment of six parliamentary investigative commissions. Their inquiries will target highly sensitive issues, including deficiencies in land management, the sale of state-owned built heritage properties, and the utilization of financial mechanisms such as Total Return Swaps (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 conditions governing the granting and renewal of fishing licenses.
A staggered timeline: “Commissions have six months”
Regarding these commissions, Ousmane Sonko emphatically clarified the duration of their investigations. “It was never stated that parliamentary investigative 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, each commission will elect its bureau, consisting of a president, two vice-presidents, and a rapporteur.
“They will have six months, a maximum of six months, to conduct their work and submit their report to the National Assembly Bureau,” the Assembly President emphasized, reminding that Article 58 permits work to continue outside of session periods. “I wanted to make these clarifications to prevent certain misunderstandings,” he underscored.
Earlier, the head of the majority had responded to 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 conform to reality, to the truth of the texts,” he stated at the outset of his address, 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 is not authorized to convene an extraordinary session have simply misunderstood, according to the majority leader.
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Thierno Alassane Sall criticizes Pastef’s stance This clarification failed to quell the fervor of the opposition. Present in the chamber during this extraordinary session, Thierno Alassane Sall commented on an entirely different current event. The non-aligned deputy vehemently intervened to denounce the government’s position regarding the organization of upcoming local elections, following remarks made by Ousmane Sonko in Jolof accusing the opposition of seeking a postponement. “Everyone has seen the position of the FDR. We demand timely elections. Elections must be held, and discussions with political actors are necessary to understand what is delaying matters. 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 further added, dismissing the government’s accusations: “So, let them not weary us. We all agree that elections must be held on schedule.” Regarding the debate on political funds, the deputy also decried the National Assembly’s lack of transparency. In his view, Ousmane Sonko should lead by example within the chamber. Political dissent and denunciation of “messianic management” The offensive continued on the political front. Via his Facebook page, Aldiouma Sow launched a fierce attack on the parliamentary majority, highlighting absenteeism during the opening session. “The 34% absenteeism today at the National Assembly signals deep discomfort 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 Hemicycle whose vital prognosis is compromised. 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 into technical advisors of the day, lurking in the shadow of the Messiah-impostor’s cabinet and lying in wait to take their places in the event of a new legislature.” |
