Senegal’s government has initiated a comprehensive consultation phase for its announced constitutional reform. A delegation representing the Civil Society Coalition, dedicated to implementing the conclusions of the National Assizes and the National Commission for Institutional Reform, recently held discussions with the Takku Wallu parliamentary group, the primary opposition bloc within the National Assembly. This pivotal meeting signals the commencement of a robust public discourse, aligning with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s executive agenda, which prioritizes institutional refoundation.

A cross-party dialogue on constitutional revision

The civil society’s proactive approach aims to secure clear commitments from various political factions regarding both the substance and timeline of the constitutional overhaul. The National Assizes, launched in 2008 through a broad political and citizen initiative, previously generated a comprehensive set of recommendations. These included proposals for limiting presidential terms, enhancing the separation of powers, and modernizing public administration. Further work by the National Commission for Institutional Reform (CNRI), led by constitutional expert Amadou Mahtar Mbow, extended these reflections in 2013, though not all its recommendations were subsequently implemented.

The citizen coalition’s explicit intention is to bring these foundational texts back to the forefront of parliamentary debate. By engaging Takku Wallu, they are sending a clear political message: institutional refoundation cannot be solely the domain of the ruling majority, regardless of its strength. The parliamentary group, comprising deputies aligned with former President Macky Sall and other liberal sensibilities, holds significant sway in scrutinizing and proposing counter-arguments to forthcoming organic bills.

Takku Wallu, a political interlocutor in transition

For the political entity led by the successors of the Alliance for the Republic, these consultations represent 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 alliances within civil society to influence the legislative agenda. The chosen format, involving preliminary listening sessions before any formal stance is adopted, allows both parties to map out the terrain without making irreversible commitments.

The potential topics for discussion are well-established. Key issues inherited from the Assizes include the abolition or retention of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, the reform of the Constitutional Council, the delineation of the head of state’s powers, the role of the Prime Minister, and the status of the opposition. Additionally, the electoral system is a prominent concern, with several voices advocating for the introduction of a partial proportional representation system to better reflect the nation’s political pluralism.

A tight schedule for a major institutional undertaking

The executive branch has indicated that a draft revision could be presented to Parliament in the coming months. However, the constitutional timeline mandates strict procedures. Any significant amendment to the fundamental law requires either a qualified vote of three-fifths of deputies or a national referendum. While Pastef holds an overwhelming majority in the assembly, making the parliamentary route technically feasible, the executive has repeatedly hinted at resorting to a popular consultation to solidify the reform’s legitimacy.

This prospect of a referendum underscores the critical importance of the ongoing consultations. A mobilized civil society, coupled with an opposition involved early in the process, significantly reduces the risk of a polarized debate during the campaign phase. Conversely, a process perceived as unilateral could expose the reform to challenges similar to those that surrounded the 2016 revision under Macky Sall, which was characterized by high abstention rates.

In the coming weeks, the citizen coalition is expected to extend its meetings to other parliamentary groups, including Pastef itself, as well as to formations not represented in the Assembly. The objective is to forge a minimal consensus foundation before the official launch of the legislative work. For Dakar, the credibility of the institutional reform promise, championed since March 2024, will largely depend on the quality of this preparatory process.