Effective State Functioning: Senate Welcomes Constitutional Reforms

With the sixth Congress of Parliament voting for the re-introduction of the position of Vice President and the Senate endorsing the modification of Section 170 of the Electoral Code as well as Sections 38 and 39 of the Constitutional Council, the President Aboubakary Abdoulaye notes that the institution welcomes the reforms. His remarks while chairing the closing plenary of the March session of Parliament at the Senate yesterday April 8, 2026 appreciates the republican work carried out by the legislators. As the session closes, the Senate President encouraged the lawmakers to explain the importance of the legal instrument to their constituents. “The Senate welcomes and supports all these reforms and I urge each and every one of us to explain their validity to the people we represent and to defend the reforms against the prophets of doom and apprentice- sorcerers, and also against those who are eager to undermine them by making baseless criticisms,” he stated. According to the Senate President, various measures to amend some provisions of the Constitution are in line with the President of the Republic’s promise, in his inaugural speech, to carry out reforms aimed at adapting State institutions to the demands of the current environment. “Our Constitution has therefore been enriched with new provisions introducing, among other innovations, the post of Vice-President of the Republic, who shall sit in for the Head of State where and when necessary,” Aboubakary Abdoulaye stated. The legislator further stated that in accordance with legal provisions, the President of the Republic consulted the Senate Bureau before extending the term of office of Members of the National Assembly and Municipal Councillors. Besides the scrutiny and adoption of legal instruments, the Senate President added that the March session of Parliament held at a time when the country was hosting the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He noted t...