A violent tussle broke out in the parliament in Senegal after a male opposition member smacked a female parliamentarian on the face on Thursday. The tussle started during a heated argument between the government members and the opposition.
The incident took place during the government was presenting the budget. Opposition MP Massata Samb walked towards Amy Ndiaye Gniby of the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition and slapped her, causing a frenzy of fights.
In response, Gniby hurled a chair at Samb after which another MP blocked her on the floor. The session was called off in between as both sides traded blows, accusations, and insults.
Stress has increased between the ruling and the opposition since a legislative election in July which saw the ruling party losing its majority. One of the reasons for this is high concerns over President Macky Sall seeking a third term in 2024.
Sall, 60, has not made it clear whether he will run for the third term. However, if he does, that would be against the set term limits and also an old promise.
Sall’s supporters contend that a constitutional amendment reset the clock and gave him a second chance to run.
When parliament met for the first time following the election in September, there was conflict over who would preside over the house.
Samb was addressing the parliament on Thursday highlighting the comments made by Gniby the last weekend wherein she criticized a spiritual leader who was opposed to a third term of Sall. Samb said, “Mister president, a deputy has stood in front of this tribune to insult someone’s marabout [spiritual leader].”
Gniby mocked his remarks and showed herself unaffected by his statement, and that was the time when Samb came to slap her.
