Ousmane Diagne named president of Senegal’s Constitutional Council

The highest judicial authority in Senegal has a new leader. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed Ousmane Diagne as the new president of the Constitutional Council, a role he previously held before being removed from the first government led by Ousmane Sonko.

This appointment, formalized through Decree No. 2026-1318, marks a significant moment for the nation’s legal landscape. Ousmane Diagne, a seasoned jurist, returns to lead the institution responsible for overseeing constitutional matters and resolving electoral disputes.

From Justice Minister to Constitutional Leader

Ousmane Diagne brings extensive experience to his new position. Prior to his judicial career, he served as Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals in the initial cabinet of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. His legal expertise was further honed as Prosecutor General near the Dakar Court of Appeal and First Attorney General near the Supreme Court.

His political journey took a turn when he was excluded from subsequent government reshuffles, but his return to the Constitutional Council underscores his enduring influence in Senegalese governance. The institution he now leads has played a pivotal role in recent constitutional debates, including the contentious revision process.

Succeeding a Legend of Senegalese Justice

Ousmane Diagne takes over from the late Mamadou Badio Camara, a revered figure in Senegalese jurisprudence whose passing created a leadership void. The Constitutional Council, often called upon to mediate institutional and electoral conflicts, now benefits from Diagne’s deep understanding of both legal and political systems.

His appointment reflects President Faye’s confidence in a jurist capable of steering the council through complex constitutional challenges while maintaining the institution’s independence and credibility.