Senegal’s national assembly convenes urgent extraordinary session

During a pivotal meeting yesterday, the National Assembly’s Bureau declared the commencement of its inaugural extraordinary session for the 2025-2026 legislative year. Set to begin on Monday, August 10, 2026, this critical session will address two legislative proposals, three draft bills, and six requests for the establishment of parliamentary inquiry commissions.

This marks an anticipated early return for the members of the 15th Legislature. While many were enjoying their annual recess, Senegalese deputies are now preparing to reconvene at the Hémicycle on Place Soweto. The National Assembly’s Bureau, convened in a crucial session yesterday, officially sanctioned the opening of its very first extraordinary session for the 2025-2026 legislative calendar. Barring any unforeseen alterations, proceedings are scheduled to commence at precisely 10:00 AM on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Regulatory framework for the extraordinary session

This urgent summons, prompted by prevailing political dynamics and the imperative for institutional reforms, promises a particularly demanding agenda. As stipulated by the institution’s internal rules, the work schedule will be strictly time-limited, ensuring it does not extend beyond the statutory fifteen (15) days.

Furthermore, a clear distinction governs the session’s convocation source: if the National Assembly itself requests the extraordinary session, a Bureau decree determines its date and agenda. Conversely, if the Executive branch initiates the opening, a presidential decree from the President of the Republic specifies the date and order of business.

For this inaugural extraordinary session of the 2025-2026 year, the proceedings will commence with the verification of the quorum, followed by the opening declaration from the President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko. This plenary sitting will then lead to a meeting of the Conference of Presidents, tasked with meticulously crafting the work schedule for the current extraordinary session.

The National Assembly’s internal regulations stipulate that an extraordinary session must adhere to a predefined agenda, which remains unalterable once the session begins. The Bureau members of the National Assembly have diligently upheld this regulatory requirement, having already outlined the legislative texts slated for review during this session. This session, in accordance with the law, will not exceed fifteen days. While awaiting the official publication of the Bureau’s decree establishing the agenda, several texts were already confirmed by the National Assembly Bureau yesterday.

During this initial extraordinary session of the 2025-2026 year, which will automatically conclude once its agenda is exhausted, deputies of the 15th Legislature are set to deliberate on two legislative proposals, three draft bills, and six requests for the formation of parliamentary inquiry commissions.

Legislative proposals slated for review

Notably, the National Assembly is expected to consider a legislative proposal aimed at amending Article 37 of the Senegalese Constitution, specifically concerning the President of the Republic’s asset declaration. Additionally, a bill proposing the regulation of special credits and other secret funds will be on the table. Both these legislative proposals underwent scrutiny and were deemed admissible by the National Assembly’s Bureau in July 2026.

It is worth recalling that on July 24, the National Assembly had previously announced the establishment of several parliamentary inquiry commissions to investigate various matters.