Sénégal National Assembly: Legislative Battle Over Loi Organique Fonds Spéciaux 2026

• Sénégal's National Assembly commenced four days of plenary sessions on September 29, marked by significant tension between the Pastef majority and the Executive.
• Key legislative disagreements center on proposed laws regarding oil contract transparency, health in correctional facilities, and enhanced oversight of presidential special funds.
• The Executive previously rejected three majority-proposed bills during commission work, contributing to the anticipated 'electric' atmosphere in the chamber.
• A proposed organic law (n°38/2026) aimed at controlling the Presidency's special expenditures, an electoral promise of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is a central point of conflict, having already faced executive censure.
• The session, concluding on October 2, also includes debates on a biometric ECOWAS identity card, the Petroleum Code, and a report on Softcare product commercialization.

A proposed organic law (n°38/2026) aimed at modifying existing finance legislation to oversee and control the Presidency's special expenditures stands as the primary flashpoint in the ongoing legislative struggle.

A significant legislative confrontation has commenced in Sénégal's National Assembly, pitting the parliamentary majority, led by the Pastef party, against the Executive branch. This battle, which previously saw tensions in commission, moved to the full legislative chamber starting Tuesday, September 29. Over a period of four days, deputies are set to scrutinize various texts on the agenda for the third extraordinary session of 2026, amidst deep disagreements concerning oil contracts, the state of health services in correctional facilities, and the oversight of special government funds.

This third extraordinary session, which initially opened on September 18, entered its final working phase with the start of these plenary sittings. Its convocation followed a decree issued by the National Assembly Bureau on Tuesday, September 15, under the presidency of Ousmane Sonko, ten days prior to the plenary sessions. These sessions are anticipated to be highly charged, continuing until Friday, October 2, given the Executive's prior rejection of several key legislative proposals put forth by the majority during earlier commission deliberations.

The prevailing atmosphere of tension stems largely from the government's refusal to endorse three significant legislative proposals introduced by the majority. These include a proposition advocating for the presentation of oil contracts to the National Assembly for public information before their presidential signature, a bill addressing mental health provisions within correctional facilities, and a measure aimed at enhancing the oversight of special government funds.

The initial plenary session on September 29 began at 10:00 AM with the examination of bill n°21/2026, which proposes amendments to law n°2016-09 of March 14, 2016, concerning the establishment of a biometric ECOWAS identity card. This specific text was defended by Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, the Minister of Interior and Public Security. Later that afternoon, from 3:00 PM, the focus shifted to proposed law n°37/2026, presented by the Petroleum Minister, which seeks to modify law n°2019-03 of February 1, 2019, known as the Petroleum Code.

A proposed organic law (n°38/2026) aimed at modifying existing finance legislation to oversee and control the Presidency's special expenditures stands as the primary flashpoint in the ongoing legislative struggle. This critical piece of legislation, scheduled for examination on Thursday, October 1, seeks to amend organic law n°2020-07 of February 26, 2020, which itself repealed and replaced organic law n°2011-15 of July 8, 2011, pertaining to finance laws, as previously modified by organic law n°2016-34 of December 23, 2016.

Originating from the Pastef majority and subsequently adopted by the National Assembly, this proposed organic law is directly linked to an electoral commitment made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Despite its parliamentary passage, the Executive has already exercised its power to censor the text through a blocked vote, signaling the depth of the disagreement between the legislative and executive branches over financial transparency and accountability, particularly concerning special funds for 2026.

The legislative agenda for the extraordinary session also includes other significant items. On Wednesday, September 30, deputies of the 15th legislature are scheduled to proceed with the examination of proposed law n°39/2026, which addresses health conditions within correctional facilities, commencing at 5:00 AM. This demonstrates the breadth of issues being tackled during this intense period.

The third extraordinary session of the National Assembly for the year 2026 is set to conclude on Friday, October 2. The final item on the agenda for that day, beginning at 10:00 AM, will be the examination of the report from the parliamentary information mission concerning the commercialization of Softcare brand products, marking the end of the four-day plenary sittings.

Source: Original reporting via local media.