A significant stride towards greater transparency in Senegal politics has been made. On Monday, August 17, 2026, 133 out of 165 members of the National Assembly voted to adopt a new text. This legislation strengthens an existing constitutional requirement for public officials to declare their assets, a principle enshrined since 2001. The move aims to enhance accountability within the Senegalese government.

Under the revised law, the nation’s three highest authorities—the President, the Prime Minister, and the President of the National Assembly—are now mandated to declare their personal wealth. This declaration must occur at both the commencement and the conclusion of their terms in office. These detailed statements are to be submitted to the Constitutional Council within a strict three-month timeframe, promoting robust transparency in Senegal.

The Pastef party, led by National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, has lauded this development. Ansoumana Sambou, a member of Pastef’s national communication secretariat, emphasized the party’s conviction that “enacting such a law can only bolster transparency in public administration, aligning with Pastef’s principles. It allows Senegalese citizens to monitor the assets of their leaders, thereby curbing illicit enrichment and the squandering of public resources.”

Adopted but subject to national referendum

While the text was adopted by a substantial majority in the National Assembly, the Pastef party, which initiated this crucial measure, finds that its battle is far from over. The legislative approval on the asset declaration law now faces an unexpected hurdle.

The Minister of Justice conveyed that the President of the Republic has informed the President of the National Assembly of his decision to submit the proposed revision to a national referendum for public approval. This move is in accordance with Article 4 of Article 103 of the Constitution. Justice Minister Moussa Sarr further suggested that this particular reform should be considered within the framework of a broader constitutional review process for Senegal.

“A costly referendum”

Despite the President’s apparent agreement on the principle of asset declaration, political analyst Moussa Diaw expressed bewilderment regarding the decision to hold a referendum. Diaw questioned, “Why would the President of the Republic want to subject this law to a referendum when he agrees with its core principle? It’s difficult to comprehend why a text would be put to a costly referendum, especially when Senegal is already grappling with significant economic challenges.”

Ansoumana Sambou of Pastef echoed this sentiment, asserting that the Senegalese populace largely supports the legislation, making the referendum decision perplexing. “The subject has never been controversial. On the contrary, declaring one’s assets at both the entry and exit of any public office is widely viewed as a positive and necessary step for accountability,” Sambou stated, highlighting the public’s desire for increased transparency in Senegal.

What began as a straightforward institutional matter, the asset declaration law, has now evolved into a new arena for political confrontation. This pits Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party against the presidential movement led by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, marking a deepening ideological divide in Senegal politics.

The political landscape is set for further contention this Wednesday, August 19, when the National Assembly is scheduled to examine the text concerning “special credits.” These funds, often described as opaque, are managed by the presidency and the primature. Debates surrounding this issue are anticipated to be particularly heated.