This extraordinary session unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political sensitivity. Pastef is notably reintroducing a proposal to amend Article 37 of the Constitution. This modification 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 previously included in a constitutional revision approved by deputies in late June. However, the Constitutional Council subsequently invalidated the text, delivering a setback to Ousmane Sonko’s political alignment. The current parliamentary initiative aims to resurrect this reform in an alternative format.

The second legislative proposal championed by the majority focuses on special credits, commonly referred to as “secret funds.” These allocations, designated for the Presidency of the Republic and the Prime Minister’s office, could face enhanced scrutiny, potentially through the establishment of a select committee of parliamentarians.

The oversight of special credits at the heart of the disagreement

The management of these funds represents a core point of contention between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This dispute was a significant factor contributing to the breakdown in their relationship last May.

Moussa Diaw, a political science professor at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, views these legislative moves as Pastef’s determined effort to compel the president towards greater transparency and accountability. The academic also draws a connection between this parliamentary push and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s recent formation 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’s agenda also includes three government-sponsored bills. These pertain to 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 been impacted. The proposed law seeks to establish a framework designed to bolster the protection of the state’s digital infrastructure and data, a critical step for African news today and pan-African current affairs.