Senegal’s parliamentary majority, led by Pastef, has successfully passed a significant constitutional revision bill, securing 129 votes in favor. The session, however, was marked by a complete boycott from the opposition, which followed the expulsion of one of its members, Abdou Mbow, from the legislative chamber after he refused to yield the podium.

Justice Minister Moussa Sarr represented the government during the proceedings, advocating for four distinct amendments. Despite his defense, all of these governmental proposals were ultimately rejected by the majority legislators. Our correspondent observed the contentious events unfold at the National Assembly.

Opposition stages walkout

Opposition deputies vehemently accused Ousmane Sonko, the President of the National Assembly, of procedural violations regarding internal regulations. This accusation prompted their collective decision to boycott the parliamentary session.

The opposition characterized the constitutional revision put forth by Pastef as nothing short of a “forfaiture,” implying an abuse of power or a grave breach of trust.

Aïssata Tall Sall, who chairs the opposition parliamentary group, voiced her strong disapproval.

“Our objective has been achieved,” she declared. “It was crucial to demonstrate to the world that what is transpiring in the National Assembly is dictatorship, an act of forfeiture. Gendarmes were mobilized to remove a deputy who was simply exercising their right to speak. This is precisely what we aimed to expose to the global community. Mission accomplished.”

Government and Pastef at odds

Justice Minister Moussa Sarr saw all four of his proposed amendments rejected by Pastef deputies. These amendments specifically addressed concerns he held regarding a perceived imbalance in power, shifting from the President towards the National Assembly.

“This revision impacts major constitutional matters and disrupts the established equilibrium of our governmental system,” Sarr explained. “It touches upon the rationalization of censure motions, limits the President’s right to dissolve parliament, alters the procedures for appointing members to the Constitutional Court, and affects the alignment with our fundamental statutes and international commitments. Indeed, to broaden the ability to table a censure motion up to ten times within a legislative term, while simultaneously restricting the President of the Republic to only one dissolution during their mandate, fundamentally undermines the traditional institutional balance.” This discussion highlights crucial aspects of African governance and current affairs in Senegal.

Friction between Diomaye Faye and Sonko camps

Among the points of contention between Pastef and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is the mandatory declaration of assets at the commencement and conclusion of a mandate. Ousmane Sonko, the National Assembly President, expressed that such a divergence should not exist, emphasizing that these were previously agreed-upon commitments.

“The President of the Republic has selectively adopted the text, retaining only what suits him,” Sonko asserted. “The Constitution does not belong to Bassirou Diomaye Faye. To claim, ‘no, I will no longer declare assets at the end of my term,’ or ‘no, I wish to remain president of a political party,’ when these were commitments made during a political dialogue, championed by the party… For over a decade, we have fought this battle together. By what right can a single individual decide to cherry-pick and keep only what benefits them?”

Ousmane Sonko has called upon President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to promulgate the new law. Conversely, the Head of State prefers to submit the text to a national referendum. This internal political struggle provides significant English Africa news for observers of the continent’s unfolding democratic processes.

The constitutional reform also triggered protests from opposition groups and civil society organizations, which gathered near the National Assembly earlier this Monday.