Senegal opposition backs Diomaye in constitutional reform battle

In Senegal, the political landscape is witnessing a surprising convergence of interests. The Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) has publicly declared its opposition to the controversial constitutional reform currently under debate. This move aligns the party with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, despite their past ideological differences, in a strategic bid to counter the influence of Ousmane Sonko and his Pastef movement.

President Faye has announced plans to hold a national referendum, allowing Senegalese citizens to vote on whether to adopt the contentious amendments to the constitution. The proposed changes, championed by Pastef, aim to expand the Parliament’s powers while curbing those of the presidency. This legislative initiative has sparked intense debate across the nation.

From rivals to reluctant allies

This unexpected partnership traces back to the 2022 legislative elections, when the PDS joined forces with Pastef to challenge the ruling coalition under President Macky Sall. Two years later, as the 2024 presidential race approached, the PDS took a decisive step by endorsing the Sonko-Faye ticket. Karim Wade, the party’s initial presidential candidate, was excluded from the election, prompting the PDS to pivot its support toward the opposition duo.

The alliance proved pivotal for Bassirou Diomaye Faye, significantly broadening his electoral base. While officially framed as a defense of the rule of law and a rejection of the incumbent candidate’s policies, the PDS’s decision also reflected deep-seated grievances against the outgoing administration. Karim Wade, who had faced legal challenges and exile, sought to retain influence in the new government.

A fragile and temporary understanding

Despite this initial collaboration, the relationship between the PDS and Pastef never solidified into a lasting alliance. After Faye’s election, the PDS remained outside the new governing structures, maintaining its independence from both the president’s coalition and Pastef. According to Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of the E-Jicom journalism school in Dakar, this alignment was driven more by political pragmatism than shared ideology.

“The PDS is repositioning itself in the political arena,” Sy explained. “After losing power, the party faced a steep decline. Now, they see an opportunity to re-enter the corridors of influence by aligning with the current leadership.”

Some analysts suggest Karim Wade initially bet on the potential weakening of Pastef’s radical discourse. This calculation appeared validated when, in late 2024, the PDS unexpectedly aligned with the Alliance for the Republic (APR)—longtime rivals associated with former President Sall.

United against constitutional reform

Tensions between President Faye and Ousmane Sonko have now opened fresh opportunities for the PDS to reposition itself. The party has thrown its support behind Faye’s decision to submit the constitutional amendments to a referendum, while urging voters to reject the proposals. In an official statement, the PDS called on its members and the broader public to “block” the reforms:

“The PDS urges all militants, supporters, and the Senegalese people to mobilize and vote ‘NO’ on referendum day. These repeated attempts to alter our constitution serve only Ousmane Sonko’s personal ambitions. They betray his thirst for power and disregard for the republican institutions that form the foundation of our democracy and freedoms.”

Sy noted that this stance extends beyond the PDS, reflecting a broader opposition movement: “Even those who do not openly endorse Diomaye are uniting against Sonko. They see him as an obstacle to reconciliation and a divisive figure with a confrontational discourse.”

The limits of circumstantial alliances

Sy cautioned against interpreting the PDS’s current alignment as a lasting political merger. “Supporting Diomaye’s referendum plan does not equate to backing his leadership,” he emphasized. “The opposition’s primary goal is to block the constitutional changes, which many view as an attempt by Sonko to consolidate power within the Assembly.”

He added that Pastef’s increasingly exclusive posture has inadvertently pushed other political factions closer to the president, if only temporarily. “This is not a strategic realignment but a circumstantial convergence to address a pressing issue and restore dialogue in Senegalese democracy.”

Faye’s search for new political backing

As criticism mounts within Pastef, President Faye is actively seeking to bolster his political base. The potential future support of major parties like the PDS could prove invaluable in this effort. Sy suggested that Faye may already be preparing for a post-Pastef future: “He no longer relies on Pastef as his primary support. For a potential second term, he is focusing on his ‘Diomaye Président’ coalition, signaling a shift away from his former allies.”

The analyst went further, asserting that the rift with Sonko’s party is now irreversible. “For Pastef members, Faye’s actions are seen as a betrayal. They consider him a relic of the past, and the accusations of treason against him are deeply entrenched.”