A new constitutional dispute divides Senegal’s top leadership

Significant political friction has emerged at the highest levels of the Senegalese state, driven by the ongoing revision of the national Constitution. Following the National Assembly’s adoption of the proposed bill, the institution’s president, Ousmane Sonko, publicly criticized President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko accused the head of state of attempting to alter provisions he had vigorously championed during his time in opposition.

Addressing fellow parliamentarians, Sonko underscored that this constitutional overhaul represented the culmination of over a decade of political deliberation. This extensive reflection, he noted, was informed by the outcomes of national dialogues and the dedicated work of numerous expert commissions. In his view, these long-standing commitments cannot be undermined by the personal preferences of a single leader.

“The Constitution does not belong to Bassirou Diomaye Faye,” Sonko declared, condemning the President’s apparent desire to revert certain provisions. Specifically, he highlighted the obligation for asset declaration at the conclusion of a presidential mandate and the prohibition against the President of the Republic concurrently leading a political party.

“One cannot simply review a legal document article by article and then decide: no, I no longer wish to declare my assets upon leaving office; no, I intend to lead a political party,” the National Assembly President firmly asserted.

For Ousmane Sonko, this approach signifies a departure from the foundational commitments of the Pastef party, established in 2014. He accused the President of the Republic of having initiated a “manipulation” of the proposed reform, retaining only the provisions he found personally advantageous.

“He began to discern what suited him and what did not, as President of the Republic,” Sonko remarked. Despite his strong criticisms, Ousmane Sonko called upon Bassirou Diomaye Faye to enact the legislation approved by the deputies. He maintained that the qualified majority vote secured was sufficient to validate the constitutional amendment, rendering a referendum unnecessary.

Concluding his powerful address with a profound question, he pondered, “What has changed in our younger brother and President?” He then expressed his earnest hope that the head of state would realign with what he views as the core principles of his political engagement and honor the pledges made to the Senegalese populace.