Sonko urges reforms for stronger African parliamentary union

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, held a key meeting in Dakar this month 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 union’s governing body.

During the closed-door discussions, the two leaders explored ways to enhance the APU’s operational framework and amplify its influence across Africa. Sonko emphasized the need for structural reforms to streamline decision-making and improve the union’s responsiveness to the continent’s evolving political and institutional landscape.

He proposed aligning the APU’s policy recommendations more closely with those of the African Union (AU), arguing that greater coherence between the two bodies could strengthen continental governance. Sonko highlighted the urgency of these changes, pointing to the mounting challenges facing African nations, from economic pressures to security concerns.

While no formal agreements were announced, the exchange underscored a shared commitment to revitalizing the APU as a more dynamic and effective platform for parliamentary collaboration in Africa.