Senegal’s constitutional reform: navigating the power shift between sonko and diomaye faye
On Monday, a significant moment unfolded in the National Assembly as all 129 deputies present unanimously endorsed a proposed constitutional overhaul. This pivotal legislation, championed by the Pastef party, aims to bolster the authority of the Parliament and the Prime Minister while redefining the President of the Republic’s specific powers. However, the ruling coalition, led by the Head of State, along with several opposition factions, contend that this reform is meticulously crafted to benefit Ousmane Sonko, who transitioned from former Prime Minister to his current role as President of the National Assembly. This raises critical questions: Are these allegations truly justified? What prompted President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to commit this text to a national referendum? Is this merely a democratic exercise or a calculated political maneuver?