Senegal’s parliament speaker urges major reforms for african parliamentary union

The Speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, held a high-level meeting this week with Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, Chair of the Executive Committee of the African Parliamentary Union (APU), on the sidelines of the 85th session of the APU’s Executive Committee.

The discussions centered on the APU’s strategic priorities, operational challenges, and long-term vision amid Africa’s evolving political, economic, and security landscape.

Sonko underscored the urgent need to overhaul the APU’s institutional framework to enhance its effectiveness and amplify its role in shaping continental policy decisions. He proposed key reforms aimed at modernizing the union’s governance structure and strengthening its influence in Africa’s political and institutional agenda.

The Senegalese parliament leader also highlighted the critical importance of aligning the APU’s recommendations with the African Union’s policy directives. A tighter synchronization between the two bodies, he argued, would not only streamline decision-making but also amplify the continent’s development impact through unified, coherent strategies.

This strategic dialogue reflects a broader push among African leaders to fortify parliamentary cooperation and foster more responsive, people-centered governance across the continent.