In a decisive move yesterday, the Bureau of the National Assembly confirmed the launch of its first extraordinary session of the 2025-2026 legislative year, commencing this Monday, August 10, 2026. The session will focus on two draft laws, three legislative proposals, and six requests for parliamentary inquiry commissions. Lawmakers of the 15th Legislature, who had been on annual recess, are now preparing to return to the Soweto Hemicycle. The emergency meeting held yesterday solidified the schedule, with proceedings set to begin promptly at 10:00 AM on the scheduled date.

This extraordinary session, driven by pressing political developments and institutional reform needs, promises to be intensive. Under the National Assembly’s regulations, the session’s duration is capped at 15 days, ensuring a focused and efficient legislative process. The Bureau clarified that the session’s agenda is predetermined and cannot be altered once approved. Any extraordinary session can be convened either through a Bureau-issued decree—when initiated by the Assembly itself—or via a presidential decree if prompted by the executive branch.

The session will commence with the verification of the quorum, followed by an opening address from National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko. This will be followed by a meeting of the Presidents’ Conference, tasked with finalizing the session’s work schedule. The predetermined agenda includes two legislative proposals, three draft laws, and six requests for parliamentary inquiry commissions, all of which have already been validated by the Bureau.

The extraordinary session will automatically conclude once its agenda is fully addressed, adhering strictly to the legal framework governing such proceedings.

Key legislative proposals on the table

Among the critical texts to be examined is a legislative proposal aimed at amending Article 37 of Senegal’s Constitution, specifically concerning the declaration of assets by the President of the Republic. Another significant proposal seeks to regulate special credits and other secret funds. Both proposals were reviewed and deemed admissible by the Bureau in July 2026.

Additionally, the National Assembly had previously announced plans to establish several parliamentary inquiry commissions to investigate various pressing issues, as outlined in a communiqué released on July 24.