Politics

Senegal opposition unites behind Diomaye to counter Sonko

In Senegal, the Democratic Party (PDS) has taken a decisive stance by urging voters to reject the constitutional reform referendum, aligning itself with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s call for a public vote on the controversial legislation.

The proposed changes, championed by Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party, aim to expand Parliament’s powers while curtailing those of the presidency. With the National Assembly already approving the draft, the PDS has unexpectedly thrown its support behind the president, a move that may seem counterintuitive at first glance.

The decision marks a dramatic shift from the party’s previous alliances, particularly its 2022 collaboration with Pastef during legislative elections to challenge then-President Macky Sall’s ruling coalition. By 2024, however, the PDS pivoted to backing the Sonko-Faye ticket in the presidential race, sidelining its own candidate, Karim Wade, who was barred from running after facing imprisonment and exile.

For the PDS, this strategic shift was not merely ideological but rooted in deep-seated grievances. The party accused the Sall administration of orchestrating Wade’s exclusion, hoping to secure influence in the new government despite Wade’s absence from the ballot.

A fleeting political alignment

Despite the PDS’s initial alliance with Pastef, the partnership proved short-lived. After Faye’s election, the party remained outside the new government structure, maintaining its independence from both Pastef and the presidential coalition. Analysts suggest this temporary alignment was driven more by political calculation than shared ideology.

“The PDS is repositioning itself in the political landscape,” explains Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of Dakar’s E-Jicom journalism school. “After losing power, the party faced a decline. Now, it sees an opportunity to re-enter the inner circle by aligning with the current administration.”

Others speculate that Karim Wade may have gambled on Sonko’s radical discourse eventually losing its appeal. That theory gained traction when, in late 2024, the PDS unexpectedly allied with Macky Sall’s APR party—the former adversary—during legislative elections.

United against Sonko’s reform agenda

The current rift between President Faye and Ousmane Sonko has created a fresh opportunity for the PDS to reposition itself. The party now backs Faye’s decision to hold a referendum on institutional reforms—while simultaneously urging voters to reject the proposals. In an official statement, the PDS called on its members and the broader Senegalese public to “block these reforms” and vote “No”.

The statement accused Sonko of pursuing personal ambitions through the reforms, warning that his actions undermined democratic institutions. According to Sy, this stance reflects a broader opposition trend: “Even those not openly rallying behind Diomaye are united in opposing Sonko. Politically, he’s seen as an obstacle to reconciliation—a figure with a radical discourse that alienates others.”

Sy emphasizes that the opposition’s resistance to the reforms does not equate to support for Faye. Instead, it reflects a shared rejection of what many perceive as Sonko’s attempt to consolidate power. “Their goal is to prevent the concentration of authority in the Assembly,” he notes. “They oppose the process, not necessarily the president.”

Diomaye seeks broader alliances

The shifting political dynamics could strengthen Faye’s hand as he navigates growing dissent within Pastef. The president appears to be cultivating an alternative base, signaling a potential break from his former party. Sy suggests Faye is already laying the groundwork for a post-Pastef strategy: “He’s not banking on Pastef for a second term. His coalition, ‘Diomaye Président,’ is his new foundation. The rupture with Sonko’s party is effectively final.”

Within Pastef, Faye’s moves are seen as a betrayal. Sy notes that party members now regard him as “a traitor who has abandoned their cause.”