Sénégal: Pastef reignites push for constitutional transparency and secret fund control
The National Assembly of Sénégal, under the leadership of its president Ousmane Sonko, convened its inaugural extraordinary session of the year on Monday, August 10. Over the next fifteen days, parliamentarians are set to deliberate on five legislative measures, notably two urgent bills put forward by the ruling Pastef party. These proposals underscore the ongoing friction between the Prime Minister’s faction and that of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
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This extraordinary parliamentary session unfolds amidst a charged political climate. Pastef’s agenda prominently features a proposed amendment to Article 37 of the Constitution. This change would mandate the head of state to declare their assets at the conclusion of their term, in addition to the existing requirement at the start of their tenure.
Such a provision was part of a constitutional revision previously passed by deputies in late June. However, the Constitutional Council subsequently invalidated that text, marking a setback for Ousmane Sonko’s political alliance. The current parliamentary initiative aims to reintroduce this reform in a revised format.
The second key legislative proposal from the majority focuses on special credits, widely known as “secret funds.” These financial allocations, designated for the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s office, could face enhanced scrutiny, potentially through a dedicated, restricted commission of deputies.
Le contrôle des crédits spéciaux au cœur du désaccord
The management of these funds stands as a central point of contention between Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This disagreement played a significant role in the breakdown of their relationship last May.
Moussa Diaw, a political science professor at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, interprets these moves as Pastef’s determination to compel the President towards greater transparency and accountability. The academic also draws a connection between this legislative offensive and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s establishment of his new political party, Kiiraay.
Both political bills are slated for examination under an urgent procedure. Nevertheless, their eventual adoption will hinge on the final outcome of parliamentary debates and, if necessary, the review by the Constitutional Council.
The session also includes three government-sponsored bills. These cover the Social Security Code, the Labor Code, and digital security.
The digital security legislation comes in the wake of a series of cyberattacks targeting Senegalese public institutions. Since October, at least three entities, including the Public Treasury, have reportedly been compromised. This proposed law seeks to establish a framework designed to bolster the protection of the state’s digital infrastructure and data.
