Ousmane Sonko confronts critics and sets agenda
Amidst a wave of criticism and challenges regarding 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 described as misrepresentations. With five legislative texts slated for review and the establishment of six investigative commissions, the upcoming debates are poised for high tension, further fueled by sharp condemnations from opposition figures like Thierno Alassane Sall and pointed remarks from presidential advisor Aldiouma Sow.
Five key legislative proposals for parliamentarians
Ousmane Sonko initiated proceedings yesterday, presiding over the plenary session marking the opening of the first extraordinary session of 2026. He challenged his detractors, affirming the Parliament’s commitment to completing its work. He reiterated the session’s agenda, which centers on five pivotal bills and legislative proposals. Three originate from the government, while two are parliamentary initiatives. Deputies are tasked with scrutinizing Bill n°15-2026 concerning the Labor Code, Bill n°16-2026 on the Social Security Code, and Bill n°25-2026 related to critical infrastructure protection and digital security.
However, particular attention is drawn to proposed law n°33-2026, which seeks to amend Article 37 of the Constitution, and proposed law n°34-2026, pertaining to the legal framework for special credits. Both of these 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 set to approve the establishment of six parliamentary investigative commissions. Their inquiries will target highly sensitive areas, including irregularities in land management, the disposal of state-owned built heritage properties, and the deployment of financial mechanisms such as TRS.
Parliamentarians also intend to shed light on discrepancies within the “One student, one computer” program, the issue of 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 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 firmly asserted. 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 bureau, consisting of a president, two vice-presidents, and a rapporteur.
“They will have six months, a maximum of six months, to complete their work and submit their report to the National Assembly Bureau,” the President of the National Assembly stressed, reminding that Article 58 allows for work to continue outside of session periods. “I wanted to provide these clarifications to avoid certain misinterpretations,” he underscored.
Earlier, the head of the majority addressed his critics 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 remarks, referencing the Constitution and the National Assembly’s internal regulations.
Invoking Article 7 of the latter text, he specified that a session could result from a Bureau decision, a written request from the majority of deputies, or a presidential initiative. Those who argue that the Bureau is not empowered to convene an extraordinary session have fundamentally misunderstood, according to the majority leader.
|
Thierno Alassane Sall criticizes Pastef’s stance These clarifications did little to quell the fervor of the opposition. Present in the hemicycle during this extraordinary session, Thierno Alassane Sall commented on a different, pressing issue. The unaffiliated deputy vehemently intervened to condemn the government’s posture 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 elections on schedule. Elections must be held, and there must be discussions with political actors to understand what is causing delays. That is democracy and transparency, not locking oneself in an office to conspire and ultimately surprise everyone,” declared the leader of La République des Valeurs. Referring to the dissolution of the Assembly in 2024, the deputy denounced 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 then added, dismissing the government’s accusations: “So, let them not tire 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 continued on the political front. Via his Facebook page, Aldiouma Sow launched a scathing attack on the parliamentary majority, highlighting the significant absenteeism during the session’s opening. “The 34% absenteeism today in the National Assembly signals a profound malaise within the ranks of our parliamentary majority, which has been usurped by the Messiah-impostor. We are undoubtedly witnessing the irreversible disavowal of a messianic management of the Hemicycle, whose vital prognosis is grim. 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, and careerists recycled as technical advisors of the day, lurking in the shadows of the Messiah-impostor’s cabinet, poised to seize these seats in the event of a new legislature.” |
More Stories
Sénégal: local elections postponement fears amidst political rift
Cameroon: Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, a steadfast pillar of the Biya administration
Senegal’s political funds debate: SOGEPA chief challenges claims on Ousmane Sonko