The National Commission for Access to Information (CONAI), established by Law No. 2025-15 of September 4, 2025, is now governed by a decree setting out its rules of organization and operation. The document was signed by the Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, on November 28.

The request was submitted by the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals. Yassine Fall has already explained the reasons to the relevant authorities. "As an independent administrative authority, CONAI has legal personality and budgetary autonomy. It is responsible for promoting and guaranteeing the right of citizens and the public to access information, ensuring that this right is effectively respected. The forthcoming decree specifies the procedures for referring cases to the commission regarding appeals related to a refusal of access to information and outlines its oversight missions. According to the law, any opinion issued by CONAI constitutes a mandatory preliminary step before any legal action," she noted.

The National Commission for Access to Information (CONAI) is composed of 12 members chosen for their skills, experience, and integrity, and nominated by the body to which they belong. These members include a person appointed by the President of the Republic, a representative of the National Assembly, a representative of the Prime Minister's Office, a representative of the Ombudsman, a magistrate appointed by the Minister of Justice, an academic specializing in archives and the management of administrative documents appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, a representative of employers' organizations, two representatives of civil society organizations working in the field of access to information, a representative of the Ministry of Communication, a representative of the Commission for Personal Data Protection, and a representative of the Ministry for the Promotion of Good Governance.

Next, the president and members of CONAI are appointed by decree. They serve a three-year term, renewable once.

“If, during their term of office, a member of CONAI loses the qualifications for which they were appointed, they shall be replaced. The term of office of the successor thus appointed shall be limited to the remaining term. A member's duties may only be terminated in the event of death, resignation, serious misconduct, or incapacity determined by a majority of members. CONAI members are bound by confidentiality regarding their deliberations and the complaints they receive. The rules governing the organization and operation of CONAI are established by decree,” states a document reviewed a few months ago.

Here is the full text of the decree setting out its rules of organization and operation, which has been made public!