A significant stride towards greater transparency has been made within Senegal’s political landscape. The legislation, approved on Monday, August 17, 2026, by 133 of 165 deputies, fortifies a requirement that has been enshrined in the Constitution since 2001. This development marks a pivotal moment for accountability in Senegal.

Under the new provisions, the three highest authorities of the State – the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, and the President of the National Assembly – will now be mandated to declare their assets. This declaration must occur not only at the commencement of their term but also at its conclusion, submitted to the Constitutional Council within a three-month timeframe. This enhanced reporting aims to boost public trust and deter corruption.

The Pastef party, led by National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, has lauded this advancement.

“Enacting such a law will undeniably bolster transparency in public administration, aligning with Pastef’s core principles under Ousmane Sonko. It empowers Senegalese citizens to scrutinize the assets of their leaders, thereby deterring illicit enrichment and the squandering of public funds,” asserted Ansoumana Sambou, a prominent member of Pastef’s National Communication Secretariat.

Approved but subject to referendum

While the bill garnered substantial support from deputies, securing a large majority, the battle for Pastef, the party behind this initiative, is far from over. The path to implementation has taken an unexpected turn.

According to the Minister of Justice, “the President of the Republic has informed the President of the National Assembly that, in accordance with Article 4 of Article 103 of the Constitution, he has decided to submit this proposed revision to a referendum for public approval.” This decision introduces a new layer of complexity to the process.

Therefore, the text will be put to a popular vote via a referendum, as confirmed by Minister of Justice Moussa Sarr. He suggested that this specific reform should ideally be integrated into a more comprehensive constitutional review, hinting at broader ambitions for governance reform.

“A costly referendum”

Analyst Moussa Diaw expressed his bewilderment regarding the choice to proceed with a referendum. He questioned the rationale behind such a move, particularly given the apparent agreement on the principle of asset declaration.

“One wonders why the President of the Republic wishes to submit this law to a referendum, especially when he agrees with its core principle. It is perplexing why the text should be subjected to a costly referendum, particularly when Senegal is already grappling with significant economic challenges,” Diaw remarked, highlighting the potential financial burden.

Ansoumana Sambou of Pastef echoed this sentiment, finding the referendum decision difficult to comprehend. He stated that the issue has never been a source of controversy among the Senegalese populace.

“The subject has never generated any controversy. On the contrary, declaring one’s assets upon entering and leaving office, regardless of the position, is widely regarded as a positive step,” Sambou affirmed, underscoring the broad public support for the measure.

What initially appeared to be a straightforward institutional matter—the reform of asset declaration—has now transformed into a fresh arena for political contention. It pits Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef against the presidential movement led by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, marking a new phase in their ongoing political dynamics.

The political landscape is set for further intense debate as Wednesday, August 19, approaches. The focus will then shift to the examination of the bill concerning special credits—”opaque” funds traditionally managed by the presidency and the primature. These discussions are anticipated to be particularly contentious.