The Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) has taken a bold stance against constitutional reforms proposed by the Pastef party, calling on voters to reject them in the upcoming referendum.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has countered by announcing plans for a national vote on the controversial legislation, which seeks to expand parliamentary powers while curtailing those of the presidency. The bill, passed by a parliamentary majority, aligns with Ousmane Sonko’s vision of institutional balance—though it has drawn sharp criticism from opposition circles.

From rivals to reluctant allies: The PDS’s evolving stance

In July 2022, the PDS joined forces with Pastef in legislative elections to challenge President Macky Sall’s coalition. Two years later, as the 2024 presidential race approached, the PDS made a decisive U-turn by endorsing the Sonko-Faye ticket, sidelining its own candidate, Karim Wade, who had been barred from running after being barred from the election.

This strategic pivot wasn’t merely about ideology—it was survival. The PDS viewed the exclusion of Wade as a political maneuver, with Karim Wade himself banking on influence within a future administration.

Yet the alliance proved short-lived. After Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s victory, the PDS remained outside the ruling coalition, maintaining its independence while watching Pastef’s dominance grow.

A fractured partnership

Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of Dakar’s E-Jicom journalism school, argues the PDS’s early support for Faye was purely pragmatic. “After losing power, the PDS faced a crisis. They saw an opportunity to reposition themselves by aligning with the new leadership,” he explains. “It was less about shared values and more about securing a place in the political landscape.”

Observers note Karim Wade’s gamble—that the radical rhetoric of Pastef’s leaders would eventually alienate other parties—may have paid off. By late 2024, the PDS shifted alliances again, this time aligning with Macky Sall’s APR, once its bitter rival.

Opposition consolidates against Sonko’s reforms

The current dispute over constitutional amendments has reignited cooperation between the PDS and President Faye. While the party opposes the proposed changes, it frames its opposition as a defense of Senegal’s democratic institutions against what it calls Sonko’s power grab.

In a strongly worded statement, the PDS urged supporters to “block” the reforms: “We call on all members, sympathizers, and the Senegalese people to mobilize and vote ‘NO’ to these attempts to undermine our republic. These repeated efforts are driven by personal ambitions, not the public good.”

Sy suggests the opposition’s stance transcends party lines: “Even those not formally aligning with Diomaye are uniting against Sonko. He’s increasingly seen as an obstacle to national reconciliation—a figure whose confrontational approach risks destabilizing Senegal.”

The limits of a temporary truce

Despite this convergence, analysts doubt a lasting alliance is forming. “Many opponents of the reforms don’t necessarily support Faye,” Sy notes. “They’re opposing Sonko’s tactics—not endorsing the president.”

He adds, “What they oppose is the concentration of power in the legislature, a move that risks undermining Senegal’s tradition of consensus-driven governance.”

The analyst also points to Pastef’s growing exclusivity as a factor pushing other parties toward Faye, at least temporarily. “This isn’t a strategic realignment but a circumstantial one—to address immediate concerns and restore dialogue.”

Faye’s search for sustainable support

Facing internal fractures within Pastef, President Faye is actively seeking to broaden his political base. The PDS’s conditional backing could prove crucial in consolidating his position ahead of potential future elections.

Sy believes Faye is already preparing for a post-Pastef future: “He no longer expects full support from his party. His focus is on strengthening his ‘Diomaye President’ coalition. The break with Pastef is effectively complete.”

He concludes, “For Pastef’s hardliners, Faye is already a traitor. The rupture is definitive.”