The Senegal Constitutional Council has struck down the institutional reforms pushed by the ruling Pastef party’s parliamentary majority, dealing a fresh blow to Ousmane Sonko’s political ambitions. The Council ruled that the proposed amendments violated constitutional provisions, effectively halting a key legislative agenda aimed at rebalancing institutional powers.
In a decision handed down on Thursday, the Council identified two critical flaws in the reform package: the absence of a funding mechanism for the proposed Constitutional Court and procedural irregularities during the parliamentary review of government amendments. These violations were confirmed after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye personally referred the matter to the Council, underscoring the gravity of the legal challenges.
political fallout and institutional response
Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté, former deputy and leader of the USD/A party, emphasized that while the ruling terminates immediate plans for a referendum, it does not foreclose future legislative revisions—provided they comply with constitutional fiscal and procedural requirements. “The Council’s decision does not close the door on future reforms, but it does set a clear precedent: any proposal creating public expenditures must be paired with compensatory revenue, as mandated by Article 82 of the Constitution. Additionally, the Assembly’s failure to apply the blocked voting procedure at the government’s request violates constitutional norms,” she stated.
The rejected reforms also sought to expand parliamentary investigative powers, particularly over natural resource contracts and oversight in previously restricted domains. Political reactions were swift: Sonko acknowledged the ruling in a social media statement, while the presidential coalition framed it as a validation of institutional checks and balances. Civil society voices, such as Dr. Binette Ndiaye of the Citizen Forum, welcomed the decision, highlighting its role in reinforcing democratic inclusivity. “This ruling reminds us that even with a majority, governance must be consultative. The process lacked the broad consensus essential for constitutional amendments,” she noted.
escalating tensions at the helm
The Council’s decision arrives amid growing friction between Sonko and President Faye, who removed him from the premiership in May before he assumed the Assembly presidency. Sonko has since openly described the relationship as a “cohabitation”, a term traditionally reserved for divided executive-legislative dynamics. Analysts warn that this judicial setback may deepen divisions within the ruling coalition, potentially reshaping Senegal’s political landscape in the months ahead.