Gambiaj.com – (Dakar, Senegal) – The Office of the National Assembly has rejected a legislative proposal by Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall aimed at repealing the controversial amnesty law adopted in the final weeks of former President Macky Sall’s regime. The decision, announced on Wednesday, February 26, via the Facebook page of First Deputy Speaker Ismaila Diallo, cited “budgetary non-compliance” as the primary reason for rejecting the bill.

“After examining the text, it was found that this proposal does not meet the constitutional requirements in budgetary matters, thus leading to its outright rejection,” Diallo stated.

The amnesty law, which absolved individuals of legal liability for offenses committed between 2021 and 2024, has been a source of political contention, with critics arguing that it obstructs justice for victims of past political unrest.

Thierno Alassane Sall’s proposed repeal sought to reverse this measure, but the Pastef majority lawmakers in the National Assembly determined that the bill failed to provide a financial framework, a necessary requirement under the country’s legislative procedures.

Citing Article 82 of the Constitution and Article 60 of the National Assembly’s internal regulations, Diallo explained that any bill that could reduce state resources or increase public expenditures must include compensatory financial provisions. The Office found that the proposed repeal failed to meet this requirement and lacked a budgetary impact assessment, rendering it inadmissible for debate.

However, the ruling left room for a revised proposal. “Faced with this rejection, Thierno Alassane Sall and his supporters will have to review their copy if they wish to propose legislation in accordance with the requirements of the Parliament and capable of being adopted by the deputies,” Diallo added.

Thierno Alassane Sall Denounces Rejection as Politically Motivated

In a swift response, Thierno Alassane Sall issued a statement expressing outrage, arguing that the decision was politically motivated and procedurally flawed. He claimed that the bill had not even been officially tabled before the National Assembly, accusing the leadership of circumventing proper legislative processes.

“From the outset, in their rush to reject this bill, the Pastef deputies who control the Office of the National Assembly have blatantly violated legislative procedure,” Sall asserted. He accused the Assembly’s leadership of acting in bad faith by blocking the proposal before it could be presented for debate.

Sall further criticized the rationale for rejection, calling it “the most absurd use of the principle of financial inadmissibility” he had ever seen. He argued that the repeal of the amnesty law would not lead to financial burdens on the state, as Senegal’s justice system already has an allocated budget. “Even if there were financial implications, nothing could justify refusing to bring to light the crimes that have mourned our country,” he added.

The deputy accused the Pastef-led government of deliberately shielding past crimes from judicial scrutiny. “The Office of the National Assembly, acting exclusively in the interest of Pastef, has just announced to the Senegalese people that the heinous crimes committed between 2021 and 2024 will not be prosecuted because it would cost too much for the State of Senegal,” Sall declared.

Asserting that his team had anticipated resistance, Sall revealed that the bill had been submitted alongside a note on financial inadmissibility, arguing that the repeal would neither reduce public revenue nor increase public spending. He accused the Assembly’s leadership of disregarding this document to justify rejecting the proposal.

Political Fallout and Next Steps

The rejection of the bill is likely to deepen political tensions in Senegal, particularly between the opposition and the ruling Pastef party. Critics of the amnesty law have long contended that it serves as a shield for political actors accused of human rights violations during Macky Sall’s presidency.

Sall has vowed to challenge the decision and hinted at further political actions. “We meet you this Thursday during a press conference for new revelations,” he stated.

The rejection also raises questions about the prospects for accountability regarding past political violence. While the National Assembly has left the door open for a revised proposal, it remains unclear whether Sall’s camp will be able to secure the necessary political support to push through a new version of the bill.

As the debate over the amnesty law continues, the political landscape in Senegal remains deeply polarized, with accountability and justice for past offenses remaining a contentious issue.