Senegal’s parliament pushes constitutional reform and transparency over secret funds

The first extraordinary session of the year in Senegal opened on Monday, August 10, under intense political scrutiny. National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko has set an ambitious agenda for the next fifteen days, with five key legislative texts on the table. Two of these, tabled urgently by the ruling Pastef coalition, have become central to the growing tensions between the Prime Minister’s camp and that of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Transparency at the heart of the constitutional amendment push

At the core of the legislative push is a bold constitutional reform aimed at strengthening governance and accountability. The proposed amendment to Article 37 of the Constitution seeks to impose a new requirement on the President: to publicly declare their assets not only upon taking office but also at the conclusion of their mandate. This provision, initially included in a broader constitutional revision passed by lawmakers in late June, was struck down by the Constitutional Council, dealing a setback to Ousmane Sonko’s camp.

The ruling coalition is now attempting to reintroduce this reform through a revised legislative approach, signaling their determination to ensure greater transparency in public office.

Secret funds under the microscope

The second urgent proposal targets the so-called ‘secret funds,’ special budgetary allocations granted to the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s office. These funds have long been a point of contention, with calls for increased oversight growing louder. The new legislation proposes establishing a dedicated parliamentary commission to monitor these allocations, aiming to curb misuse and enhance accountability.

The debate over these secret funds has been a key driver of the rift between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a division that culminated in a public falling-out in May. Analysts suggest this legislative push reflects the ruling coalition’s broader agenda to hold the President to higher standards of transparency and governance.

Moussa Diaw, a political science professor at the Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, points to the timing of these initiatives as part of a strategic move by the Pastef coalition. The reforms, he argues, align with President Faye’s efforts to consolidate his political influence through the formation of his new party, Kiiraay.

Legislative agenda: balancing reform and governance

The extraordinary session also includes three government-backed bills focusing on social security, labor codes, and digital security. The latter is a direct response to a recent surge in cyberattacks targeting public institutions in Senegal. Since October, three key institutions—including the National Treasury—have fallen victim to such attacks, prompting urgent legislative action to fortify the country’s digital infrastructure and data protection frameworks.

As lawmakers convene for this critical session, the outcomes of these debates will hinge not only on parliamentary discussions but also on the final scrutiny of the Constitutional Council. The stakes are high, with the potential to reshape Senegal’s political and governance landscape in the months ahead.