Dakar is set to host a landmark gathering of African leaders next month as the capital prepares to welcome delegates for the 85th Executive Committee Session of the African Parliamentary Union. Scheduled for June 3 and 4, 2026, the high-profile event will bring together over 100 lawmakers from 16 African nations to deliberate on pressing continental matters.
The host nation’s top legislator, Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, seized the moment to underscore the urgency of strengthened parliamentary cooperation across Africa. In a pre-event message to his peers, he emphasized that the continent’s future hinges on self-reliance and collective action, rooted in shared values and mutual interests.
«At a time when Africa faces unprecedented challenges, deepening parliamentary ties is no longer optional—it is essential. The destiny of our continent must be shaped by Africans, guided by the ideals of unity and progress that have defined generations before us. I am confident our deliberations will move this shared vision forward,» Sonko declared in his address.
The Dakar summit marks Sonko’s first major international engagement since his landslide election to lead Senegal’s National Assembly on May 26, 2026, where he secured 99.25% of the vote out of 133 ballots cast. As the newly elected Speaker, his leadership will be under the spotlight as parliamentarians from across the continent converge to address governance, security, and development priorities.
The two-day session will focus on aligning legislative efforts to tackle cross-border issues, including economic integration and regional stability. With Africa’s geopolitical landscape evolving rapidly, the timing of this meeting underscores its strategic importance in fostering cohesive policies that resonate with the continent’s diverse yet interconnected realities.