El Malick Ndiaye is the new Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF). This was announced by the National Assembly on April 9th, declaring that Senegal has returned to the top position after more than 40 years, following Daouda Sow. However, Alioune Souaré, a parliamentary expert who served for five years in this organization, wanted to provide some clarification.

"Beware, there is some confusion being maintained regarding the appointment of President El Malick Ndiaye to the position of Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF).

I know this organization well, having been a member for 5 years (2007-2012). It mainly brings together countries that share the use of the French language, represented by approximately 57 parliaments, and other organizations are represented as observers (19) and associate members (19).

The APF is a federal organization, structured around four regions corresponding to the continents: APF/Africa; APF/Europe; APF/Americas; and APF/Asia-Pacific. Each region meets before the federal general assembly to elect its executive committee members (president and vice-presidents). The executive committee of the federal organization must reflect the representation of the regions.

Now, we should know if the appointment of our compatriot as President of the National Assembly is at the regional level or is to occupy the seat reserved for the APF/Africa region in the office of the federal organization of the APF?

However, I warmly congratulate President El Malick Ndiaye who, beyond Senegal, represents all African parliamentarians. The important thing is to understand the issues and get to work, regardless of the level at which one is appointed as vice-president, whether for the APF/Africa region or for the federal organization.

Moreover, at the next Federal General Assembly, President Hilarion Etong should in principle relinquish the seat; he is also the Vice-President of the Cameroonian National Assembly.

It should be clarified that the late Daouda Sow was the President of the Federal APF from 1984-1988 and not vice-president, as claimed in this morning's press!

But there were others, such as the late Amadou Cissé Dia, who was also the first Senegalese to lead this prestigious federal organization, from 1982-1983, then the late Habib Thiam from 1983-1984.

Senegal has also had vice-presidents of the APF, the last of whom was President Moustapha Niasse, and before him, there was President Mamadou Seck!