🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Ousmane Sonko reprimands Pastef deputies over National Assembly incident with Abdou Mbow
via SeneNews1 min read
Ousmane Sonko, president of Pastef, strongly reprimanded his party's deputies following a tense incident during a constitutional review session at the National Assembly. Sonko expressed his displeasure, stating that the deputies had violated clear instructions given to them. The incident involved deputy Abdou Mbow's refusal to leave the presidium of the chamber, which led to a moment of high tension within the parliamentary institution. Sonko emphasized the importance of discipline among Pastef's elected officials and adherence to the party's directives.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadPresident Bassirou Diomaye Faye has informed the National Assembly of his intention to submit the constitutional revision to a referendum. This initiative, presented by Minister of Justice Moussa Sarr, comes amid a tense political climate. The debate on constitutional revision is taking a new institutional turn, with the President officially notifying the President of the National Assembly of his decision to seek popular approval for the adopted constitutional revision text through a referendum. This announcement occurs while the legislative process for the reform is under parliamentary review. The use of a referendum, as provided by Senegalese constitutional mechanisms, would allow the reform to be decided directly by popular vote after its passage through the parliament. Legally, the Senegalese Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic, after a revision text is adopted, can decide to submit it to a referendum, following the advice of competent institutions. This mechanism makes the people the final arbiter of changes to the fundamental text.
A statement attributed to the President of the National Assembly, suggesting that a minister must request permission to leave the chamber, lacks legal foundation. Neither the Constitution of Senegal nor the internal rules of the National Assembly of Senegal contain such a requirement. While the President of the Assembly has extensive powers to maintain order during sessions, including organizing debates and enforcing discipline, these powers do not extend to restricting the movement of government members. Ministers participate in parliamentary sessions for government oversight and can be present for debates or to answer questions. However, no constitutional or regulatory provision mandates that a minister seek authorization to leave the chamber once a session has begun. Ministers routinely enter and exit the chamber based on their governmental schedules, ongoing debates, or executive coordination needs, without formal authorization from the session president. Senegalese legal framework emphasizes maintaining order and discipline within the chamber and the functional separation between legislative and executive powers, while respecting parliamentary oversight of the government. The session president's authority over the conduct of debates does not include a general restriction on the freedom of movement for government members, beyond specific disciplinary measures outlined in the rules.
On the night of Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Fimela territorial brigade, supported by the Fatick Surveillance and Intervention Squadron and an Environment section detachment, intercepted three pirogues off Bassoul, thwarting an irregular migration attempt to the Canary Islands. The operation, which began at 7 PM, led to the interception of a 22-meter pirogue and two others measuring 11 and 9 meters. A total of 273 individuals were found on board, comprising 265 men and 8 women, including three children. The majority of those intercepted were Senegalese nationals 269, along with three Gambians and one Malian. Authorities also seized significant logistical equipment, including five outboard motors two 40 HP, one 60 HP, and two 15 HP, two motor pumps, and 7,020 liters of fuel distributed in 334 cans. Investigators noted that the large fuel reserve indicated a well-planned journey for a multi-day crossing to the Spanish Canary Islands archipelago. The National Gendarmerie urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, providing toll-free numbers 800 00 20 20 and 123 for 24-hour contact.