Aminata Touré, former Prime Minister of Senegal and special envoy of the President, has called on parliamentarians to exercise restraint in their verbal exchanges within the National Assembly. Speaking at the summer university of the KIIRAY party, she expressed her dismay at the level of verbal abuse and personal attacks witnessed in the parliament, particularly those targeting the President of the Republic.
Touré emphasized that the National Assembly, as an institution representing the people, deserves respect and dignity. She argued that it is unacceptable for lawmakers to engage in verbal sparring that undermines the institution's credibility. According to her, the Parliament and the Presidency are institutions that should inspire respect and dignity.
The former Prime Minister strongly denounced what she termed "verbal excesses" in the National Assembly, describing them as unbefitting of an institution. She urged lawmakers to take responsibility for their words and actions, warning that they should not wish to be remembered for a legislature marked by undignified behavior.
Touré also reflected on her own experience as a parliamentarian, expressing her indignation at the current state of affairs. She argued that while divergent opinions are acceptable, the manner in which they are expressed is crucial. In her view, using parliamentary immunity as a shield to launch personal attacks on the party leader amounts to cowardice.
Aminata Touré advised lawmakers to be accountable for their words, suggesting that if they truly stand by their statements, they should be willing to express them outside the Assembly, without relying on parliamentary immunity. She emphasized the importance of respecting institutions and urged lawmakers to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their roles.
The special envoy of the President and general supervisor of the KIIRAY party also cautioned that her party would not engage in what she described as sterile and unproductive exchanges. However, she assured that KIIRAY would provide meaningful responses to pressing questions, maintaining a level of decorum and responsibility.
In conclusion, Aminata Touré called on Senegalese lawmakers to reflect on their behavior and recommit to upholding the dignity of the National Assembly. She emphasized that the people of Senegal deserve better from their elected representatives and urged them to act with the respect and responsibility that their positions demand.
Key points
- Aminata Touré urges Senegalese parliamentarians to show restraint in their verbal exchanges within the National Assembly.
- She denounces verbal excesses and personal attacks on the President of the Republic as unbefitting of an institution.
- Touré advises lawmakers to be accountable for their words and actions, and to respect the dignity of the National Assembly.
