At the dawn of this new legislature, we send our most sincere wishes to the new deputies who are preparing to take office. This is a historic moment, a unique occasion where the Senegalese people, through their vote, have entrusted you with the responsibility of representing their aspirations and leading the country towards a better future. At the start of this mandate, a new era is dawning for our National Assembly, an era of rupture, transparency and responsibility.
The challenges that await you are immense. You will be the builders of the laws and reforms that will mark the next decade of our country. This Assembly must be a real engine of change, a place where decisions are taken with the sole objective of defending the interests of the Senegalese people. Each bill, each proposal, each deliberation must be analyzed with particular attention, in order to guarantee that it meets the real needs of the citizens who have placed their trust in you.
Senegal expects from you an Assembly capable of judging each legislative text with objectivity and discernment. It is imperative that you are not only committed representatives, but also competent legislators, capable of mastering the issues of parliamentary debate. This involves continuous preparation, a willingness to learn and improve to fully perform your duties.
The competence of the deputies will be the key to the success of this legislature. It is not enough to occupy a seat, but to assume an active role in the design and adoption of laws that will have a direct impact on the lives of Senegalese people. Your ability to understand, analyze and debate with intelligence and rigor is essential to ensure informed and responsible decisions. The National Assembly must be a place where the quality of debates takes precedence over quantity, a place where every word counts, where every law has a deep and tangible meaning for the populations.
We already welcome the initiative of Pastef, which, by organizing a capacity building workshop in Saly for its new elected officials, has laid the foundations for a quality legislature. This training program, aimed at providing MPs with the tools necessary to carry out their role with seriousness and expertise, is an example to follow. It demonstrates that political commitment must be accompanied by solid skills and in-depth knowledge to meet the demands of the legislative function.
The Saly workshop is only the beginning, a first step in a continuing education journey which must continue throughout the mandate. Investment in the training of elected officials is essential to ensure a Parliament capable of adapting to Senegal’s current and future challenges. A well-trained, well-informed MP is one who makes informed decisions and acts in the interest of the nation.
We hope that this example will inspire all elected officials in the new legislature, whatever their political origin. Senegal deserves a competent, dynamic and responsible National Assembly, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The populations expect from you concrete actions, bold reforms and decisions taken in the general interest. It is your duty to prepare yourself, to train yourself, in order to be up to the task entrusted to you.
The promised rupture is not limited to a simple change of face. It will result in concrete actions, in rigorous and constructive parliamentary work. The Senegalese expect a Parliament where each deputy is a determining player in building the future of the country. A National Assembly where the quality of debates and decisions takes precedence, where citizens recognize themselves in the laws adopted.
We invite you to make this legislature a model of governance and accountability. Together, let us form an Assembly that embodies change and progress for our country. A Parliament closer to the realities of citizens, a Parliament capable of meeting the economic, social and environmental challenges facing our nation. Senegal has confidence in you, and it is time to answer this call with determination and competence.
* By HADY TRAORÉ
Consultant in strategic management and public policy
Canada
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