A heated session in Senegal’s National Assembly descended into chaos on Monday as lawmakers exchanged blows during deliberations on the country’s 2025 national budget. What began as a spirited debate quickly spiralled into physical confrontation, forcing a temporary suspension of proceedings.
According to parliamentary insiders, tensions flared when members of the opposition accused the ruling coalition of rushing the budget approval process without allowing adequate scrutiny of key allocations. Accusations of financial mismanagement and poor consultation provoked a fiery response from majority MPs, leading to a verbal standoff that soon turned physical.
Footage circulating on social media shows several MPs pushing, shoving, and trading punches near the Speaker’s podium, as security personnel scrambled to restore order. Some lawmakers were seen attempting to separate their colleagues, while others shouted across the chamber in frustration.
The Speaker of Parliament, visibly disappointed, condemned the conduct and called for immediate calm, describing the incident as “an embarrassment to Senegal’s democratic values.” He adjourned the sitting to allow tempers to cool before the budget debate could resume.
“This is not just about the budget,” one analyst noted. “It’s a symptom of a much larger disagreement over the direction of the country.”