Senegal parliament advances transparency drive with constitutional reform

Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, convened the first extraordinary session of the year on Monday, August 10, setting in motion a high-stakes legislative agenda. Over the next fifteen days, lawmakers will deliberate five key bills, two of which were fast-tracked by the ruling Pastef party amidst escalating tensions between the Prime Minister’s office and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration.

Key reforms target transparency and governance

The legislative push centers on two urgent proposals designed to reshape Senegal’s political landscape. The first seeks to amend Article 37 of the Constitution, mandating that the President publicly disclose their assets not only upon taking office but also at the end of their term. This measure, initially approved by lawmakers in June, was struck down by the Constitutional Council—a setback that the ruling party now aims to overcome through revised legislation.

The second proposal targets the controversial fonds secrets—special discretionary funds allocated to the presidency and prime minister’s office. Under the new plan, these allocations would face heightened parliamentary scrutiny through a dedicated commission of deputies, addressing longstanding concerns over fiscal opacity.

Transparency vs. political divisions

The debate over these reforms has deepened divisions within the ruling coalition. Tensions between Sonko and President Faye reached a breaking point in May, partly fueled by disagreements over the management of these secret funds. Political analyst Moussa Diaw of the University of Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis argues that the Pastef’s legislative offensive reflects a deliberate strategy to enforce greater accountability on the executive branch. Diaw also links the push to President Faye’s recent establishment of a new political party, Kiiraay, suggesting a broader realignment within Senegal’s political sphere.

The urgency of these bills means they will undergo expedited review, though their passage remains contingent on parliamentary consensus and potential constitutional review. The session will also address three additional government-backed initiatives: reforms to the Social Security Code, Labor Code, and a new Digital Security framework.

Digital security takes center stage

The Digital Security project follows a series of cyberattacks targeting Senegalese public institutions, including the Treasury, since October 2025. The proposed law aims to fortify the country’s digital infrastructure by establishing robust frameworks for state data protection and cyber resilience.