Sénégal: Réforme Loi Organique Fonds Spéciaux Assemblée Nationale

• Senegalese deputies convened on Friday, September 18, for the third extraordinary session of the 15th legislature.
• Key agenda items include a proposed reform of the organic law on finance laws, specifically targeting the National Assembly's special funds.
• Legislators will also examine a report from a parliamentary mission investigating the Softcare product commercialization scandal, which involved allegations of expired raw materials and attempted bribery.
• The special funds reform aims to control the National Assembly's expenses, following a previous executive block on a similar initiative for presidential special expenses.
• Other legislative proposals on the agenda include modifications to the biometric ECOWAS identity card law, the Petroleum Code, and health provisions in correctional facilities.

By introducing this new proposal, the National Assembly Bureau intends to reignite the debate surrounding the accountability of special funds, ensuring that legislative spending is subject to clearer guidelines and scrutiny.

Senegalese deputies gathered for a plenary session on Friday, September 18, marking the third extraordinary session of the 15th legislature. The extensive agenda included a variety of legislative projects and proposals, with particular focus on two significant dossiers: the proposed reform of the organic law governing finance laws, specifically concerning the National Assembly's special funds, and the review of a parliamentary fact-finding mission's report on the commercialization of Softcare products.

The convocation for this session was officially announced by the National Assembly Bureau on Wednesday, September 16. This decision followed the Bureau's validation of the third extraordinary session during its meeting held on Tuesday, September 15, which was presided over by Ousmane Sonko. The legislative body is set to address these critical issues, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability within the government and address public concerns.

A central item on the legislative agenda is Organic Legislative Proposal n°38/2026, which seeks to amend Organic Law n°2020-07 of February 26, 2020, pertaining to finance laws. This initiative represents a significant step in Sénégal's efforts to reform the organic law concerning special funds, specifically aiming to regulate and control the National Assembly's own special expenditures. This move follows a previous attempt to introduce similar oversight.

Notably, this parliamentary initiative comes after the executive branch previously blocked a proposal aimed at framing and controlling the presidency's special expenses. That earlier effort was consistent with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's electoral commitment to greater financial transparency. By introducing this new proposal, the National Assembly Bureau intends to reignite the debate surrounding the accountability of special funds, ensuring that legislative spending is subject to clearer guidelines and scrutiny.

Another critical matter before the deputies is the examination of the parliamentary fact-finding mission's report concerning the commercialization practices of Softcare products. Softcare, a Senegalese subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate Sunda International, specializes in the production of essential hygiene items such as diapers and sanitary napkins. The company became embroiled in a significant controversy involving a dual scandal that drew considerable public and legislative attention.

The scandal encompassed allegations of expired raw materials being used in the manufacturing process of Softcare's products, alongside claims of an attempted bribery of agents from the Directorate of Inspection, Market Surveillance, and Vigilance, an arm of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP). In response to the widespread controversy, the National Assembly established a dedicated parliamentary fact-finding mission to thoroughly investigate the conditions under which Softcare products were commercialized. This mission, which commenced its work on January 5, 2026, initiated an audition phase on January 14, 2026, in accordance with Article 51 of the National Assembly's Internal Regulations. The mission's president, Honorable Deputy Khady Sarr, publicly announced the start of these hearings on January 15, 2026, signaling a commitment to uncover the full details of the affair.

Beyond the high-profile discussions on special funds and the Softcare report, the extraordinary session's agenda encompasses several other important legislative initiatives. Deputies are slated to consider Draft Law n°21/2026, which proposes modifications to Law n°2016-09 of March 14, 2016, a statute that established the biometric ECOWAS identity card. This indicates an ongoing effort to update and refine national identification systems in line with regional standards.

Furthermore, the legislative body will address Legislative Proposal n°37/2026, which aims to modify Law n°2019-03 of February 1, 2019, known as the Petroleum Code. This suggests a review of the legal framework governing the nation's oil and gas sector, potentially reflecting new developments or policy objectives. Additionally, Legislative Proposal n°39/2026, focusing on health provisions within correctional facilities, is on the docket, underscoring a commitment to improving conditions and services for incarcerated individuals. These diverse legislative items highlight the breadth of issues the 15th legislature is tackling during this extraordinary session.

Source: Original reporting via Les Échos