Senegal’s constitutional reform to face public vote
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has confirmed plans to submit Senegal’s proposed constitutional amendments to a national referendum if approved by the National Assembly. The reform package, championed by the parliamentary majority, aims to recalibrate the balance of powers between state institutions while curtailing certain presidential authorities.
The announcement came during a June 29 session of the National Assembly, where Justice Minister Moussa Sarr revealed the president’s decision to invoke Article 103 of the Constitution. This constitutional provision enables direct public consultation on proposed amendments, bypassing full parliamentary approval.
Photograph: © AP – Mosa’ab Elshamy
Key changes in the constitutional proposal
The draft amendments seek to fundamentally reshape Senegal’s institutional framework by:
- Enhancing separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
- Reducing certain traditionally presidential prerogatives
- Strengthening checks and balances within government
- Instituting a more balanced distribution of responsibilities across state institutions
Political tensions behind the reform
The proposal enjoys support from the parliamentary majority aligned with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s camp, which currently holds a dominant position in the National Assembly. However, its introduction coincides with escalating political tensions between Senegal’s two top leaders.
President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko, once close allies, rose to power following the March 2024 presidential election that marked Senegal’s first major political transition in decades. Recent months have seen growing disagreements between the two leaders on multiple policy fronts, raising concerns about cohesion at the highest levels of government.
The president’s decision to bypass full parliamentary approval for the constitutional changes reflects both political strategy and a desire to secure direct public endorsement for the reforms. If implemented, the changes would represent a significant restructuring of Senegal’s governmental architecture.
