Summoned but absent: What those who refused Pastef MPs really risk

In June 2025, Senegal’s National Assembly adopted reforms making appearances before investigative committees mandatory and providing for criminal penalties and the use of public force. In decision No. 2/C/2025 on 25 July 2025, the Constitutional Council struck down forced appearances and committees’ ability to refer matters directly to the prosecutor, ruling that these powers encroached on the judiciary. Committees can still summon people, but cannot have them forcibly escorted or impose a criminal penalty for failing to appear. The ruling does not, however, explicitly establish a general right to refuse any summons without consequences.