President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s referendum move halts Ousmane Sonko’s parliamentary win
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has made a decisive move in African politics, opting to send the proposed constitutional revision directly to a national referendum. This strategic decision effectively challenges the recent parliamentary success of the opposition, reigniting the constitutional debate and reshaping the political power dynamics within the National Assembly.
Despite the parliamentary majority securing a significant win for Pastef by passing the constitutional revision bill with 129 votes, the ultimate decision emanated from the presidential palace, altering the entire landscape. Justice Minister Me Moussa Sarr disclosed that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has chosen not to proceed with the promulgation of the text as approved by the National Assembly. Instead, in a significant act of governance Africa, he has invoked Article 103 of the Constitution to put the reform to a public referendum. This move represents a direct halt to Pastef’s legislative strategy.
What appeared to be a swift adoption by lawmakers has been effectively neutralized by the President’s office. Even with the government’s proposed amendments being rejected, the majority deputies had endorsed the version crafted by the commission, affirming the political will behind the initiative. However, behind the scenes, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye…
