The constitutional reform announced by Senegalese authorities is progressing into a phase of comprehensive consultations. A delegation from the Civil Society Coalition, dedicated to implementing the findings of the National Assises and the National Commission for Institutional Reform, recently held discussions with the parliamentary group Takku Wallu, the principal opposition faction in the National Assembly. This meeting marks a crucial step in preparing for what promises to be an extensive public debate, especially as the executive, under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has identified institutional refoundation as a top priority.
A cross-party dialogue on constitutional revision
The initiative undertaken by civil society aims to secure unequivocal commitments from various political forces regarding both the substance and the timeline of the constitutional revision. The National Assises, convened from 2008 through the efforts of a broad political and citizen spectrum, had generated a comprehensive set of recommendations. These proposals addressed critical areas such as limiting presidential terms, enhancing the separation of powers, and modernizing public administration. Subsequent work by the National Commission for Institutional Reform (CNRI), chaired by constitutional scholar Amadou Mahtar Mbow in 2013, further developed these ideas, although not all its recommendations were fully implemented.
The citizen coalition specifically intends to re-center these foundational texts within the parliamentary debate. By reaching out to Takku Wallu, it sends a clear political signal: institutional refoundation cannot be the exclusive domain of a single majority, no matter how substantial. This parliamentary group, which includes deputies close to former President Macky Sall and other liberal-leaning figures, possesses significant capacity for auditing and proposing alternative solutions for forthcoming organic law projects.
Takku Wallu, a political interlocutor in reconfiguration
For the political entity now led by the successors of the Alliance for the Republic, these consultations provide a strategic platform. Following the decisive victory of the Pastef party in the snap legislative elections of November 2024, the parliamentary opposition is actively seeking connections within civil society to exert influence on the legislative agenda. The chosen format, involving an initial listening phase before any formal positions are adopted, enables both parties to explore common ground without making irreversible commitments.
The potential subjects for discussion are widely recognized. Key issues inherited from the Assises include the potential abolition or retention of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, reform of the Constitutional Council, defining the powers of the Head of State, the role of the Prime Minister, and the official status of the opposition. Furthermore, the electoral system is under scrutiny, with several voices advocating for the introduction of partial proportional representation to more accurately reflect the nation’s political pluralism.
A tight schedule for a major institutional project
The executive branch has indicated that a draft revision could be submitted to Parliament within the next few months. However, constitutional timelines impose stringent steps. Any substantial modification to the fundamental law requires either a qualified vote of three-fifths of deputies or a national referendum. In a parliamentary chamber where Pastef holds an overwhelming majority, the legislative path appears technically viable. Nevertheless, the executive has on several occasions mentioned the possibility of resorting to popular consultation to firmly anchor the reform’s legitimacy.
This prospect of a referendum heightens the importance of the ongoing consultations. A mobilized civil society, coupled with an opposition involved early in the process, can significantly reduce the risk of a polarized debate during any subsequent campaign. Conversely, a process perceived as unilateral could expose the reform to challenges similar to those encountered during the 2016 revision under Macky Sall, which was characterized by a high rate of voter abstention.
Practically, the coming weeks are expected to see the citizen coalition extend its meetings to other parliamentary groups, including Pastef itself, as well as political formations not currently represented in the National Assembly. The primary objective is to consolidate a minimum consensus before the official launch of the legislative initiative. For Dakar, the credibility of the institutional rupture promised since March 2024 will largely depend on the quality of this preparatory phase.