Senegal: pastef reignites constitutional reform and scrutiny of special funds
Sénégal : le Pastef relance la réforme constitutionnelle et le contrôle des « fonds secrets »
The President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, convened Senegal’s inaugural extraordinary parliamentary session of the year on Monday, August 10. Lawmakers face a packed agenda, with five legislative texts slated for review within a fifteen-day timeframe. Among these are two urgent proposals championed by the ruling Pastef majority, which are central to the ongoing political friction between the Prime Minister’s faction and that of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
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This extraordinary session unfolds amidst a politically charged atmosphere. Pastef is notably bringing back to the forefront a proposed amendment to Article 37 of the Constitution. If enacted, this amendment would require the head of state to declare their assets at the conclusion of their mandate, in addition to the existing declaration made upon assuming office.
While a similar provision was incorporated into a constitutional revision previously adopted by deputies in late June, the Constitutional Council subsequently invalidated the text, delivering a setback to Ousmane Sonko’s camp. The current parliamentary initiative aims to reintroduce this reform in an alternative format.
The second legislative proposal, also advanced by the majority, pertains to special credits, commonly referred to as