Dakar — The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, has hailed the constitutional reform passed by ruling party lawmakers as a pivotal step forward for Senegalese democracy. Speaking during a plenary session dedicated to reviewing Proposal No. 17/2026, which seeks to revise the Constitution, Sonko emphasized the transformative impact of the amendments on governance transparency and public accountability.
“This reform stands among the most consequential advances we have made in strengthening Senegal’s democratic institutions and ensuring greater openness in public sector management,” he stated. The proposal, tabled by deputies from the Pastef-Les Patriotes parliamentary group, was adopted following extensive deliberations in the legislative chamber.
Sonko confirmed that the approved text would be forwarded to the President of the Republic for final endorsement. “I will not invoke Article 103. Instead, I will request the Head of State to simply and directly promulgate this law, as the Constitutional Council—whose rulings are binding on all branches of government—has already validated both its adoption and approval,” he explained.
The Speaker underscored that the passage of the constitutional amendment marks the conclusion of a lengthy legislative journey. “The new provisions reflect years of political engagement and dialogue,” he noted. While acknowledging the importance of political discourse, Sonko clarified that the constructive exchanges had been informal rather than institutionalized.
He also recounted the broad participation in the national dialogue process convened by the President, which included representatives from Pastef-Les Patriotes and other political formations, civil society groups, and diverse stakeholders. The reform, Sonko asserted, aligns with the outcomes of these discussions and the aspirations of the Senegalese people.
In a related development, the former Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to transparency by announcing his intention to submit a fresh declaration of assets in the coming days. “I have already declared my assets as Prime Minister. With three months to comply after leaving office, I will fulfill this obligation next week,” he affirmed.