DAKAR: Senegal’s parliament has rejected a proposed draft revision of the constitution put forward by the country’s newly elected leaders, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, and seen as paving the way for the dissolution of the opposition-dominated chamber.
The proposed constitutional changes, which aimed to dissolve two key consultative bodies, were narrowly defeated by three votes following a contentious debate broadcast live on social media.
The constitutional revision proposed by Faye and Sonko sought to eliminate the High Council of Local Authorities and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council—two bodies that the new administration views as redundant and costly. The proposed changes were seen as part of a broader strategy by the new government to consolidate power and streamline governance.
Faye, elected in March, and Sonko, who has yet to deliver a general policy speech to the parliament, currently lack a majority in the national assembly. The legislature, elected in 2022, is still under the influence of supporters of former President Macky Sall, who remains a formidable force in Senegalese politics.
The rejection of the draft revision reflects the significant challenge facing Faye and Sonko in their efforts to implement the policies they campaigned on, which include leftist pan-Africanism and social justice. The national assembly, under the current rules, cannot be dissolved until it has been in session for at least two years. The deadline for such a move will be September 12, marking exactly 24 months since the parliament’s first session post-election.
In a statement following the vote, Faye’s office acknowledged the parliament’s decision, describing it as indicative of a “profound rift” between the parliamentary deputies and the popular mandates expressed during the presidential election.
Justice Minister Ousma Diagne, who had previously argued for the more efficient use of public funds, had supported the draft revision. However, the coalition backing the former president, Macky Sall, has accused the new leadership of using the constitutional revision as a pretext to call for new legislative elections.
Abdou Mbow, a member of Sall’s coalition, has announced plans to lodge a motion of censure against the new government.
