The Yewwi Askan Wi (YAW, Liberate the People) parliamentary group and the Benno Bokk Yaakaar (BBY, United for the Same Hope) majority are exchanging accusations regarding violations of assembly rules. The conflict between these two factions, aligned with the new Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and former President Macky Sall, has intensified over the controversy surrounding the GPS date, which the BBY parliamentary majority has set for September 11, 2024.
In a press release on Thursday, September 5, YAW denounced a “serious and flagrant violation” of the Assembly’s rules of procedure by Amadou Mame Diop, the Assembly President, and BBY representatives during the Conference of Presidents held that day.
Despite its minority status in parliament, the YAW coalition—led by the PASTEF party, which entered power in March—criticizes the decision to hold the GPS on September 11, arguing that it contravenes Article 97 of the Assembly Rules of Procedure, which mandates notification to the Assembly at least eight days prior to the GPS. Ayib Daffé, the president of the YAW group, alleged that this rushed timeline aims to “sabotage and hinder” parliamentary work.
“This scorched-earth strategy seeks to undermine parliamentary activities as the extraordinary session concludes on September 19, 2024,” YAW contended, accusing the BBY of imposing an unrealistic work schedule despite President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s request for additional agenda items.
In response, Abdou Mbow, president of the BBY parliamentary group, refuted these claims, asserting that the Prime Minister and President of the Republic were not attempting to “manipulate” or “evade” their responsibilities.
Mbow explained that Article 97 cited by YAW does not apply in the context of the extraordinary session convened by President Faye, and that the determination of the GPS date falls within the purview of the Conference of Presidents, according to Article 19 of the Rules of Procedure.
“Ousmane Sonko is not prepared to present his GPS,” Mbow suggested, accusing him of attempting to buy time through “deceptive maneuvers.” Sonko had previously led a strong opposition against Macky Sall before Faye’s victory in the presidential election.
These heated exchanges occur as the extraordinary session, which commenced on September 5, is set to last until September 19, 2024. However, President Faye could constitutionally dissolve the National Assembly as early as September 12, two years following the start of the fourteenth legislature, and call for new legislative elections.
In anticipation of this possibility, the new opposition submitted a motion of censure against the government last Tuesday. Mbow indicated that if Sonko fails to attend the assembly, Senegalese citizens will face the repercussions, emphasizing that deputies “have other obligations” before September 12, which means there will be no motion of censure.
