Senegal’s institutional overhaul to face citizen referendum

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has declared his intention to put the proposed constitutional revision to a national referendum, provided it first passes through the National Assembly. This significant reform, championed by the parliamentary majority, aims to rebalance institutional powers and curtail certain presidential prerogatives.

The announcement was made public on Monday, June 29, by Senegal’s Justice Minister, Moussa Sarr, during a session at the National Assembly. Minister Sarr confirmed that the head of state had informed the parliamentary institution’s president of his decision to invoke Article 103 of the Constitution, which permits a constitutional amendment to be submitted to a popular vote.

The legislation currently under deliberation seeks to fundamentally alter Senegal’s institutional framework by strengthening the roles of various state components. It proposes a more equitable distribution of responsibilities among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, which would inherently lead to a reduction in certain powers traditionally held by the President of the Republic.

Tensions at the apex of state power

While the reform enjoys strong backing from the parliamentary majority aligned with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s political faction, which holds sway in the National Assembly, it unfolds against a backdrop of emerging political tensions between Senegal’s two most prominent executive figures.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, long-standing political allies, ascended to power following the landmark March 2024 presidential election, which ushered in a major political shift for the nation. However, in recent months, disagreements have surfaced between the two leaders on several key issues, prompting questions about the overall cohesion within the highest echelons of the state.

By opting for a referendum, President Faye effectively bypasses a definitive parliamentary-only adoption of the reform, choosing instead to seek direct endorsement from the citizenry. This upcoming popular consultation will therefore be crucial in determining the fate of a project that its proponents present as a vital step towards a new, more balanced organization of Senegalese institutions.