By Biran Gaye
The President of the Republic of Senegal Thursday dissolved the countrys parliament, marking the end of term of the lawmakers of the 14th legislature after assuming office two years ago.
During his address to the nation, Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced the
dissolution of the parliament by decree signed yesterday after receiving the constitutional councils endorsement on this matter.
The Head of State declared the reasons that pushed him to dissolve the 14th legislature.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye condemned the refusal of the opposition majority to hold the budget orientation debate “for the
simplistic reason for a supposed attack received on political ground”.
“This violation of a legal obligation provided for by article 56 of the organic law relating to finance laws will have seriously
contributed to tarnishing Senegal’s image in the eyes of international
institutions,”Faye added.
Speaking further, leftist leader Faye mentioned the majority’s rejection of
a constitutional revision aimed at abolishing the HCCT and the CESE to judiciously utilise public funds.
“By rejecting, on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the draft constitutional
revision aimed at fulfilling the promise I made to the people to abolish the High Council of Local Authorities (HCCT) and the Economic,
Social and Environmental Council (CESE), while the situation of public finances urgently requires rationalizing public spending,”
Mr Faye also cited “the usurpation of the
constitutional prerogatives of the President of the Republic to set a date for the General Policy Declaration, in flagrant violation of
Article 84 of the Constitution and Article 97 of the organic law on the internal regulations of the National Assembly. Not to mention the
threat of a motion of censure that this majority is holding over the government!”
Early legislative elections will be called shortly.
The dissolution of the National Assembly has been widely discussed, particularly by those in power, with the first announcement made by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko,
immediately after the rejection of the draft law to revise the constitution aimed at dissolving the High Council of Local Authorities
(HCCT) and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE).
“I can assure you that there will be no motion of censure between now and September 12. And that on the 12th, God willing, these people will have other things to do than be members of the National Assembly,”Prime Minister Sonko was quoted as saying by reports on September 4.
