West African parliaments launch new legislative sessions

Several West African nations have commenced new parliamentary sessions involving significant legislative and administrative agendas.

In Côte d'Ivoire, Senate President Kandia Camara opened the second ordinary session of 2026 in Yamoussoukro. The agenda includes reviewing the national budget, nine new bills—including those concerning animal genetics and SME policies—and implementing digital modernization through electronic voting and AI.

In Togo, the National Assembly is focused on bilateral diplomacy and international mediation. Speaker Komi Selom Klassou met with Moroccan diplomats to strengthen parliamentary cooperation, and the Assembly recently adopted a law to ratify the convention creating the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).

In Senegal, National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko opened the 2026-2027 session amid calls for parliamentary inquiries into several high-profile matters. These include investigations into gas and oil projects, rural electrification, and the management of special funds.

In Cameroon, the National Assembly is addressing administrative and constitutional transitions. Following the deaths of President Clément Atangana and member Bah Oumarou Sanda, the Assembly is working to designate successors to the Constitutional Council. Additionally, Speaker Théodore Datouo is considering potential revisions to the institution's administrative structure.