Following the 2024 parliamentary elections in Senegal, ARTICLE 19 is urging the new parliament to prioritise transparency, openness, and accountability. This call is particularly important given Senegal’s low ranking on the 2022 Open Parliament Index, where it scored 41.24% out of 13 West African parliaments. The Senegalese Parliament faces challenges in transparency, civic participation, and public accountability, with scores of 16.04%, 16.33%, and 8.86%, respectively. ARTICLE 19 notes that there is a need to improve access to information, address allegations of corruption and involve citizens in decision-making in Senegal. Therefore, we call for structural reforms to ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression and access to information, which is fundamental to democracy.
As Senegal’s 15th House of Parliament was established following the November 2024 elections, there is a pressing need for the new legislative body to adopt a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable approach to governance.
This need is especially timely given Senegal’s disappointing performance on the 2022 Open Parliament Index (OPI). According to a report published in 2022 by the African Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations Network (APMON) on the West African Open Parliament Index (OPI) 2022, the Senegalese parliament ranked 9th in the sub-region, with a score of 41.24% out of the 13 parliaments assessed. The report, in which 44 indicators are divided into three sections – transparency, civic participation and public accountability – reveals that the Senegalese parliament, as with other West African parliaments (for example Nigeria, Togo, and Niger), ranks low when it comes to open and transparent governance, and the public’s access to its policies and conduct.
Based on the results of the 2022 report and the index’s three (3) evaluation criteria, the Senegalese parliament has the following scores:
- On transparency, the National Assembly of Senegal is ranked 11th with a percentage of 16.04% out of 35% ;
- On civic participation, Senegal came sixth, with a percentage of 16.33% out of 35%.
- On public accountability, Senegal came sixth, with 8.86% out of 30%.
Ahead of the next evaluation by APMON, ARTICLE 19, as one of the lead civil society organisations in the Open Government Partnership (OGP), calls on the new parliament to prioritise the structural reforms needed to guarantee respect for citizens’ fundamental rights, in particular freedom of expression and access to information, which remain the cornerstones of any democracy.
In particular, ARTICLE 19 calls for the reform for the following reasons:
- The need to improve legal certainty: Despite being enshrined in the Senegalese Constitution, the right to access information lacks specific legislation, leading to inconsistent enforcement. Adopting comprehensive access to information legislation would provide a clear legal framework, ensuring that citizens can exercise this right effectively.
- The need to improve public trust: The current limitations on access to financial information contribute to public distrust of parliament. Enhancing transparency in financial matters would help build trust and credibility with the public.
- The need to improve citizen participation: The lack of communication about transparency mechanisms hinders citizen participation and access to parliamentary premises. Improving communication and engagement processes would facilitate greater involvement from citizens and civil society organisations.
- The need to improve digital accessibility: The parliament’s website is not regularly updated, which further restricts access to information. Regular updates and maintenance of the website would ensure that citizens have timely access to relevant information.
ARTICLE 19 believes that by addressing these challenges, Senegal can improve transparency, enhance public trust, and foster a more inclusive and accountable governance system.
For further information, please contact:
Abdoulaye NDIAYE, Program Officer Tel: +221 77 553 13 87 E: [email protected]