Chairman of the National Assembly Ousmane Sonko announced yesterday that seven presidential bills initiated by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye would not be placed on the agenda for the current extraordinary session. The proposals were received during the opening of the first extraordinary session, convened on August 6 by the Assembly’s bureau.

The seven bills presented by the Executive Branch include:

• Ratification of the Marrakech Treaty to improve access to published works for the visually impaired;
• Ratification of protocols amending Articles 50(a) and 56 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation;
• Ratification of a military and technical cooperation agreement between Senegal and the Republic of the Congo;
• Ratification of an extradition convention between Senegal and the United Arab Emirates;
• Ratification of a convention on the transfer of sentenced persons between Senegal and the United Arab Emirates;
• Ratification of a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between Senegal and the United Arab Emirates;
• Ratification of a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between Senegal and Italy.

Focus shifts to domestic legislative priorities

While the presidential proposals were set aside, the Assembly’s bureau prioritized three other bills for this extraordinary session. These include a Labor Code, a Social Security Code, and legislation aimed at protecting critical information infrastructure and cybersecurity. Additionally, two legislative proposals and six inquiry commission requests were included in the session’s agenda.

Constitutional and financial reforms take center stage

Among the key items under urgent review are proposals to amend Article 37 of the Constitution—regarding presidential asset declarations—and a bill on the legal framework governing special budgetary credits. These will be examined over the next fifteen days under an accelerated procedure, as requested by their sponsors.

The session will also address six proposals for parliamentary inquiry commissions, focusing on:

• Irregularities in state land management;
• Issues surrounding the sale of state-owned buildings;
• Alleged misuse of Total Return Swap financial instruments by the government;
• Problems in the procurement and execution of the “One Student, One Laptop” program;
• Revenue shortfalls and the management of tax exemptions;
• Conditions for issuing and renewing fishing licenses.