Unprecedented political tensions have emerged at the highest levels of the Senegalese government, sparked by the ongoing constitutional review. Following the National Assembly’s adoption of the proposed bill, Ousmane Sonko, who presides over the legislative body, publicly criticized President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko accused President Faye of attempting to modify constitutional provisions that he himself had championed during his time in opposition.

Addressing the deputies, Ousmane Sonko emphasized that this constitutional reform represents the culmination of over a decade of political deliberation. He highlighted that it was shaped by the conclusions of national dialogue initiatives and the extensive work of various expert commissions. According to Sonko, these fundamental commitments cannot be undermined by the personal preferences of any single leader.

“The Constitution is not the personal property of Bassirou Diomaye Faye,” Sonko declared, condemning the head of state’s apparent desire to revert on specific clauses. These include the mandatory declaration of assets at the close of a presidential term and the prohibition against the head of state simultaneously leading a political party.

“One cannot take a text, scrutinize it article by article, and then declare: ‘No, I no longer wish to declare my assets upon leaving office’; ‘No, I want to be the president of a party’,” the National Assembly President firmly stated.

Ousmane Sonko asserted that this approach marks a significant departure from the historical commitments of the Pastef party, which date back to 2014. He accused the head of state of having begun to “tweak” the reform project, selectively endorsing only those provisions that serve his personal interests.

“He started evaluating what suited him and what did not suit him, as President of the Republic,” Sonko remarked. Despite these strong criticisms, Ousmane Sonko urged Bassirou Diomaye Faye to promulgate the law as adopted by the deputies. He maintained that the qualified majority vote achieved is sufficient to validate the constitutional revision, rendering a national referendum unnecessary.

Concluding his intervention with a poignant question, Sonko wondered, “What has truly shifted within our colleague and President?” He then expressed his hope that the head of state would return to what he considers the foundational principles of his political engagement and honor the promises made to the Senegalese people.