Senegal Lawmakers Approve Reforms To Reduce Presidential Powers

Senegal’s National Assembly has approved a contentious package of constitutional reforms that would strengthen parliament’s authority while limiting several presidential powers, deepening an ongoing political rift at the country’s highest levels of government.

The amendments were passed by an overwhelming majority after a tense parliamentary session marked by heated debates and an opposition walkout. The vote came as relations continue to deteriorate between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and National Assembly Speaker Ousmane Sonko, once close political allies who led the country’s historic 2024 election victory.

The government has announced that the proposed constitutional changes will be submitted to voters in a national referendum, although a date for the vote has yet to be confirmed.

The fallout between Faye and Sonko has intensified in recent months. Sonko, who had served as prime minister, publicly criticised the president over his handling of Senegal’s economic challenges, particularly the country’s debt situation. In May, President Faye dismissed Sonko from the premiership, but lawmakers from the ruling Pastef party, which holds a commanding majority in parliament, later elected him as Speaker of the National Assembly.

The proposed reforms would significantly increase parliamentary oversight by granting lawmakers broader investigative powers and requiring the government to disclose agreements involving the country’s natural resources to parliament.

Other key measures include replacing the existing Constitutional Council with a new nine-member Constitutional Court, banning a sitting president from leading a political party, restricting a president from signing certain legislation into law between a presidential election and the inauguration of a president-elect, and expanding the authority of parliamentary committees.

Critics argue that the proposal preventing a sitting president from leading a political party is aimed directly at President Faye. Although he remains a member of the Pastef party, he no longer holds an official leadership position. Opponents say the change could make it more difficult for him to establish a separate political platform before the next election.

Outside parliament, police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the reforms as lawmakers debated the bill. Opposition legislators also staged a walkout during the session, accusing the ruling party of using constitutional changes to shift power away from the presidency.

Pastef, which controls 130 of the National Assembly’s 165 seats, insists the reforms are designed to reinforce the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary and improve democratic accountability.

However, opposition parties and civil society groups reject that explanation, arguing the amendments are politically motivated and reflect the growing rivalry between Faye and Sonko. They have called for the reforms to be withdrawn immediately.

Adding to the uncertainty, Sonko questioned whether President Faye has the constitutional authority to submit the amendments to a referendum, arguing that parliament had already validly adopted the reforms with majority support. The disagreement has further highlighted the widening divide within Senegal’s ruling leadership as the country faces one of its most significant constitutional debates in recent years.