In a decisive call to action, Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, has urged Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the country’s President, to formally approve the newly adopted constitutional amendment. The legislative body voted overwhelmingly in favor of the reform earlier this week, and Sonko asserts that this vote alone constitutes both adoption and ratification, leaving no room for further executive or judicial interference.
The Speaker of the Assembly dismissed concerns raised by President Faye, including the suggestion that the reform be put to a national referendum. Sonko emphasized that the authority to amend the Constitution lies with the National Assembly when in session, and that any attempt by the President to challenge the process through the Constitutional Council is unwarranted. He pointed out that the Council has already validated the procedure for parliamentary-led constitutional revisions.
Sonko also took issue with President Faye’s reservations about key provisions in the reform, such as the mandatory declaration of assets by the Head of State upon taking office and leaving, as well as the prohibition on leading a political party during their mandate. These measures, Sonko argued, were championed by Faye himself during his time as an opposition figure. He hailed the amendment as a landmark achievement for Senegalese democracy, promising greater transparency in governance and a reduction in the financial burden of democratic processes.
Concluding his statement, Sonko expressed confidence that the reform will fortify Senegal’s democratic foundations and called on President Faye to abandon his objections. He dismissed the idea of a referendum as unnecessary, insisting that the Assembly’s vote is the definitive expression of the people’s will.