The Senegalese Constitutional Council has dealt a fresh setback to opposition leader Ousmane Sonko by striking down a key institutional reform proposed by his Pastef party. The decision, announced yesterday, marks another chapter in the escalating political tensions gripping Dakar.
Constitutional council delivers blow to reform ambitions
The highest judicial body in Senegal ruled that the proposed amendments to the constitution, spearheaded by the ruling majority, contained two critical constitutional violations. First, the reform failed to establish a clear funding mechanism for the new Constitutional Court it envisioned. Second, lawmakers allegedly bypassed established parliamentary procedures when processing government amendments.
The council’s decision came in response to a formal referral by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye himself, signaling the depth of institutional divisions. The rejected reform aimed to redistribute powers between state institutions, a move its supporters argued was necessary for balanced governance.
Political fallout and constitutional safeguards
Former parliamentarian Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté, leader of the USD/A party and head of the Ensemble Demain coalition, emphasized that while the council’s ruling nullifies the reform, it doesn’t close the door on future legislative efforts. However, any revised proposal would require strict adherence to constitutional fiscal provisions—specifically Article 82, which mandates revenue sources for new public expenditures like elections or court establishment.
“The council acted within its constitutional mandate,” Kanouté stated. “The Assembly cannot bypass procedural rules when introducing amendments at the government’s request, as that violates Article 82, paragraph four.”
Parliamentary oversight expansion stalled
The reform also sought to enhance parliamentary investigative powers, particularly over natural resource contracts and previously restricted oversight areas. This component, too, has been shelved for now, leaving lawmakers with limited tools to scrutinize executive actions.
Ousmane Sonko acknowledged the council’s decision in a social media statement, while the presidential coalition framed it as a testament to institutional strength. Dr. Binette Ndiaye, coordinator of the Citizen Forum, praised the ruling as a victory for democratic safeguards.
Growing rift at the heart of power
The council’s ruling arrives amid deepening divisions between Sonko and President Faye. Sonko, who was removed from the prime ministership in May, had previously pivoted to leading the National Assembly—but his influence appears to be eroding. His recent public characterization of the relationship with the president as “cohabitation” has fueled speculation about an impending power struggle.
Political observers now question whether this judicial setback will further destabilize Sonko’s position or force a recalibration of the ruling coalition’s strategy. The decision underscores the fragility of Senegal’s political equilibrium and the high stakes surrounding institutional reforms in a young democracy.
