Ousmane Sonko addresses assembly critics, outlines legislative agenda
Ousmane Sonko clarifies position, sets parliamentary direction
Amidst a wave of criticism and challenges surrounding the convocation of the National Assembly’s extraordinary session, Speaker Ousmane Sonko took a firm stance this Monday. He sought to clarify the legal framework governing the proceedings, detail the legislative agenda, and dispel what he termed ‘misconceptions.’ With five legislative texts slated for review and the establishment of six investigative commissions, the upcoming debates are poised for intense scrutiny, further fueled by sharp critiques from opposition figures like Thierno Alassane Sall and pointed remarks from presidential advisor Aldiouma Sow.
Five key legislative texts on the agenda
Ousmane Sonko initiated the proceedings yesterday, presiding over the plenary session that marked 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 encompasses five significant draft laws and legislative proposals. Three originate from the government, while two are parliamentary initiatives. Deputies are tasked with examining draft law n°15-2026 concerning the Labor Code, draft law n°16-2026 on the Social Security Code, and draft law n°25-2026 pertaining to critical infrastructure protection and digital security.
Of particular note are legislative proposal n°33-2026, which seeks to amend Article 37 of the Constitution, and proposal n°34-2026, concerning the legal framework for special credits. Both of these proposals will undergo an urgent procedure at the request of their sponsors, with the precise 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 delve into highly sensitive areas, notably deficiencies in land management, the transfer of state-owned built heritage properties, and the application of financial mechanisms such as Total Return Swaps (TRS).
Parliamentarians also intend to shed light on irregularities within the “One student, one computer” initiative, instances of revenue abandonment, the administration of tax exemptions, and the terms surrounding the allocation and renewal of fishing licenses.
A two-speed schedule: “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 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 Bureau of the National Assembly,” the Speaker emphasized, reminding that Article 58 permits work to continue outside of session periods. “I wanted to make these clarifications to avoid certain confusions,” he underlined.
Earlier, the leader of the parliamentary majority had responded to those 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 align with reality or 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 clarified 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 assails Pastef’s stance This clarification did little to quell the fervor of the opposition. Thierno Alassane Sall, an unaffiliated deputy present in the chamber during the extraordinary session, commented on an entirely different matter. He vehemently denounced 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 need to be discussions with political actors to understand what is delaying things. 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. Recalling the dissolution of the Assembly in 2024, the deputy criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the Constitutional Council’s opinions: “They had the answer, and I had written to the Constitutional Council asking them to make their 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 added, dismissing the government’s accusations: “So, let them not tire us. We all agree that elections must be held on time.” Regarding the debate on political funds, the deputy also criticized the National Assembly’s lack of transparency. For him, Ousmane Sonko should lead by example within the chamber. Political dissent and denunciation of “messianic management” The offensive also extended into the political arena. Via his Facebook page, Aldiouma Sow, a presidential advisor, launched a scathing attack on the parliamentary majority, highlighting absenteeism during the session’s opening. “The 34% absenteeism today in the National Assembly signals a profound unease within the ranks of our parliamentary majority, usurped by the Messiah-imposter. We are undoubtedly witnessing the irreversible disavowal of a messianic management of the Chamber whose vital prognosis is at stake. The culmination of this disavowal must be the public determination of the patriotic and republican deputies, whose seats are now threatened by former ministers, Sonko-dependents, careerists recycled as technical advisors of the day, lurking in the shadows of the Messiah-imposter’s cabinet and poised to take their places in the event of a new legislature.” |