Senegal: Kiiraay defends the executive’s stance on two texts from Pastef
In Senegal, the presidential party Kiiraay-Les Patriotes républicains defended, on August 17 and 18, 2026, the executive’s position on two proposals put forward by deputies from Pastef: the declaration of assets by the head of state and the regulation of special funds. These issues are fueling tensions between the presidency of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the National Assembly led by Ousmane Sonko.
SUMMARY
The two procedures are distinct. The first, presented by Deputy Amadou Ba, aims to amend Article 37 of the Constitution so that the President of the Republic declares and publishes his assets at the end of his term, in addition to the declaration made when taking office. The second aims to establish a legal framework for special funds, often referred to as “secret funds”.
The proposal on assets was approved on August 17 by 133 out of 135 deputies who participated in the vote, according to the results reported after the session. Minister of Justice, Moussa Sarr, indicated that Bassirou Diomaye Faye supported the principle of transparency but wished to submit the reform to a referendum in a broader context.
The text announced by the executive is set to extend the obligation to declare and publish assets to the main authorities holding high responsibilities in the state. This approach currently rules out an immediate promulgation of the proposal voted on by the National Assembly.
A legal challenge concerning special funds
Regarding the second issue, the government announced on August 18 that it had referred the matter to the Constitutional Council. It is challenging the emergency procedure initiated in the National Assembly to examine the draft law on special funds, whose plenary session was scheduled for August 19.
The executive invokes a conflict of competencies between Parliament and the government. The appeal does not address the substance of the text: it is up to the Constitutional Council to determine whether the parliamentary initiative and procedure comply with the distribution of powers prescribed by the Constitution.
Aminata Touré, high representative of the president and supervisor of Kiiraay, rejected accusations of political blockage. She defended respect for the separation of powers and stated that deputies should also address economic and social concerns, particularly the pressure on purchasing power.
The dispute arises after Decision No. 6/C/2026 from July 9. Responding to the head of state, the Constitutional Council had declared the revision law adopted on June 29 to be unconstitutional, notably citing violations of the legislative procedure stipulated in Article 82.
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