The Senegalese Constitutional Council has delivered a decisive ruling, invalidating the institutional reform proposed by the ruling Pastef party. The decision, issued on Thursday, marks a significant setback for Ousmane Sonko and his allies in the National Assembly, who had championed the reform as a means to rebalance institutional powers.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who referred the reform to the Council, highlighted two critical constitutional breaches: the absence of a funding mechanism for the proposed Constitutional Court and procedural irregularities in the parliamentary review of government amendments. These flaws rendered the reform unconstitutional, according to the Council’s findings.

Speaking on behalf of the opposition coalition Ensemble Demain, former MP Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté acknowledged the ruling but emphasized that the door remains open for future legislative revisions. She stressed that any new reform must comply with constitutional provisions, particularly regarding public expenditure and funding mechanisms outlined in Article 82, paragraph 2. Kanouté also noted that the Council found the National Assembly had violated Article 82, paragraph 4, by failing to apply the blocked vote procedure at the government’s request.

Key provisions of the rejected reform

The proposed changes included strengthening parliamentary oversight over natural resource contracts and expanding investigative powers into previously restricted areas. However, the Council’s decision has put these plans on hold indefinitely.

Political reactions and implications

Ousmane Sonko publicly acknowledged the Council’s decision in a social media statement, framing it as a setback for his reform agenda. Meanwhile, the presidential coalition defended the decision, praising the Council’s role in upholding constitutional integrity. Dr. Binette Ndiaye, coordinator of the Citizen Forum, hailed the ruling as a victory for democratic principles.

« As a civil society representative, I believe this ruling deserves praise. From the outset, the reform lacked inclusivity and dialogue. It appeared as though a single political party was attempting to alter constitutional provisions without broader consensus. The Council’s decision serves as a reminder that even with a majority, governance must respect the voices of all stakeholders. »

Rising political tensions in Senegal

The Council’s decision arrives amid deepening divisions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko. Since Sonko’s removal from the Prime Minister’s office in May, tensions have escalated, with Sonko publicly describing the situation as a « cohabitation » crisis. Analysts warn that the Council’s ruling could exacerbate political rivalries, potentially reshaping Senegal’s political landscape in the coming months.