Senegal’s national assembly convenes urgent extraordinary session

During its bureau meeting held yesterday, the National Assembly officially announced the commencement of its inaugural extraordinary session for the 2025-2026 legislative year. This significant gathering is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 10, 2026, with a packed agenda that includes the review of two proposed laws, three draft bills, and six requests for the establishment of parliamentary inquiry commissions.

This early return to legislative duties is highly anticipated for the parliamentarians of the 15th Legislature. While many were enjoying their annual recess, the Senegalese deputies are now preparing to reconvene at the Hémicycle on Place Soweto. The crucial session convened by the National Assembly’s bureau yesterday formalized the opening of this first extraordinary session of the 2025-2026 legislative calendar. Barring any last-minute alterations, proceedings are set to commence precisely at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Regulatory framework for the extraordinary session

This urgent convocation, driven by current political developments and the necessity for institutional reforms, promises to be exceptionally intensive. In accordance with the institution’s internal rules, the work schedule will be rigorously managed and cannot extend beyond the statutory period of fifteen (15) days.

Furthermore, a parliamentary source from L’Observateur clarified that the procedure for opening an extraordinary session varies based on its origin: if the National Assembly itself requests the session, an order from the bureau will determine the date and agenda. Conversely, if the executive branch initiates the session, a decree from the President of the Republic will set the date and outline the order of business.

For this particular occasion, the first extraordinary session of the 2025-2026 year will initially focus on verifying the quorum, followed by the opening declaration delivered by the President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko. This plenary sitting will then be succeeded by a meeting of the Conference of Presidents, tasked with drafting the detailed work schedule for the current extraordinary session.

The National Assembly’s internal regulations mandate that an extraordinary session must adhere to a predetermined agenda, which cannot be altered once the session has begun. This regulatory requirement was diligently observed by the members of the National Assembly’s bureau, who have already identified the texts slated for examination during this session. As legally stipulated, the session will not exceed fifteen (15) days. While awaiting the official publication of the bureau’s order detailing the full agenda, several key texts were already approved yesterday by the National Assembly’s bureau.

For this initial extraordinary session of the 2025-2026 year, which will automatically conclude once its agenda is exhausted, the deputies of the 15th Legislature are prepared to review two legislative proposals, three draft laws, and six requests for the establishment of parliamentary inquiry commissions.

Key legislative proposals for examination

Among the crucial items, the National Assembly is expected to consider the proposed law to amend Article 37 of the Constitution of Senegal, which pertains to the declaration of assets by the President of the Republic. Additionally, a proposed law concerning the regulation of special credits and other secret funds will be reviewed. Both of these legislative proposals were examined and declared admissible by the National Assembly’s bureau in July 2026.

It is worth recalling that in a public statement released on July 24, the National Assembly had previously announced the formation of several parliamentary inquiry commissions to investigate various pertinent matters.