Ousmane Sonko: Commissions Parlementaires Sénégal Powers Clarified

• Ousmane Sonko addressed the Senegalese National Assembly, clarifying the function of parliamentary inquiry commissions.
• He stated that these commissions are fact-finding bodies and not judicial tribunals.
• Commissions are mandated to verify facts and make recommendations, not to issue condemnations.
• Criminal findings can be referred to the public prosecutor or lead to an impeachment resolution.
• Sonko urged deputies to maintain rigor, respect individuals, and distinguish facts from political judgments to preserve institutional credibility.

He underscored that these parliamentary bodies serve a fact-finding purpose and are explicitly not intended to function as judicial tribunals.

During the inaugural session of the National Assembly for the 2026-2027 period, Ousmane Sonko addressed deputies to delineate the precise scope of their investigative work. His remarks specifically highlighted the ongoing inquiry into the "Un étudiant, un ordinateur" program, urging a clear understanding of the nature and limitations of parliamentary commissions.

Sonko underscored that these parliamentary bodies serve a fact-finding purpose and are explicitly not intended to function as judicial tribunals. This clarification came in the context of live-streamed hearings, which had led to the circulation of excerpts online and, subsequently, public attacks and accusations against some officials who had been questioned.

The mandate of parliamentary commissions, as articulated by Sonko, is to meticulously verify facts and to formulate recommendations based on their findings. He firmly stated that these commissions do not possess the authority to issue condemnations or to usurp the role of the justice system, emphasizing their investigative rather than adjudicative nature.

Should commissioners uncover elements that suggest potential criminal offenses, the law provides two distinct avenues for action. They are authorized either to transmit the gathered facts directly to the public prosecutor for appropriate legal proceedings or to adopt a resolution for impeachment, thereby initiating a formal process within the legislative framework.

Sonko called upon deputies to conduct their work with utmost rigor, stressing the importance of respecting individuals who appear before the commissions. He urged them to maintain a clear distinction between established facts and political judgments, asserting that adherence to these principles is crucial for safeguarding the credibility of the National Assembly as an institution.

Furthermore, Sonko insisted on the necessity of following up on the recommendations put forth by these commissions, indicating that such follow-through could, where appropriate, lead to new legislative initiatives. Concurrently, the President of the National Assembly advocated for the institution to embrace the oversight role it performs over other entities, referencing internal reforms implemented by the majority since their tenure began, including a decree that regulates aid and relief provided by the Assembly.

Lawyers advising clients appearing before Senegalese parliamentary inquiry commissions should note Ousmane Sonko's clarification that these bodies are fact-finding and recommendatory, not judicial. This reinforces the importance of understanding the precise mandate and procedural limitations of such commissions to ensure due process and prevent mischaracterization of findings as legal judgments, guiding strategy for client representation.

Source: Original reporting based on Senegalese parliamentary proceedings.