Significant tensions have emerged at the highest levels of the Senegalese government following the National Assembly’s adoption of a proposed constitutional amendment. Ousmane Sonko, who presides over the legislative body, has publicly criticized President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, accusing him of abandoning principles he vigorously championed during his time in opposition, particularly concerning modifications to certain constitutional provisions.
Addressing members of parliament, Ousmane Sonko emphasized that this constitutional overhaul is the culmination of over a decade of political deliberation, drawing extensively from the outcomes of national dialogues and the contributions of various expert commissions. He asserted that such deeply rooted commitments should not be subject to the personal preferences of any single leader.
« The Constitution does not belong to Bassirou Diomaye Faye », Sonko declared, expressing strong disapproval of the head of state’s apparent desire to reverse certain stipulations. Among these are the mandatory declaration of assets at the conclusion of a presidential term and the prohibition preventing the President of the Republic from simultaneously leading a political party.
« One cannot simply review a text, article by article, and decide: no, I no longer wish to declare my assets upon leaving office; no, I want to be the president of a party, » the National Assembly’s leader firmly stated.
According to Ousmane Sonko, this approach represents a significant departure from the Pastef party’s foundational principles, which have been upheld since 2014. He further accused the head of state of having begun to « manipulate » the reform proposal, selectively endorsing only those provisions that would personally benefit him.
« He started to consider what suited him and what did not, as President of the Republic », Sonko remarked. Despite these pointed criticisms, Ousmane Sonko urged Bassirou Diomaye Faye to formally enact the law passed by the deputies. He contended that the qualified majority vote achieved is sufficient to validate the constitutional revision, rendering a national referendum unnecessary.
Concluding his address with a profound question, Sonko pondered, « What has changed in our younger brother and president? », before expressing his hope that the head of state would recommit to what Sonko views as the fundamental tenets of his political engagement and honor the pledges made to the Senegalese populace.
