Senegal's power struggle: Referendum to decide on constitutional reform
Senegal's constitional reform has caused considerable political uproar. The public will now be asked to vote on the proposed amendments. Under a new constitution, the
Senegal's constitional reform has caused considerable political uproar. The public will now be asked to vote on the proposed amendments. Under a new constitution, the powers of President Faye would be reduced. Senegal's constitional reform continues to split the country's political landscape: Outside the parliament building in Dakar, angry protesters marched last week against the new country's proposed new constitution. The situation however escalated when security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Meanwhile, lawmakers inside the building engaged in a heated debate, with opposition politicians boycottng the vote on the reform; some were even seen storming the podium. One lawmaker had to be forcibly removed from the chamber by security forces. Despite all this, the controversial constitutional reform was eventually passed in parliament by a majority vote of the ruling PASTEF (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Brotherhood) party amid great confusion of who supports whom in the escalating power struggle in Senegal's top political positions. However, there's no victory for anyone to celebrate just yet: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye refused to sign the bill, announcing that a referendum would be held instead. He did not specify a date when the public would get to vote on the proposed amendments. Will Senegal's Diomaye deliver? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Plans to curtial presidential powers Initiated by former prime minister and current parliamentary leader Ousmane Sonko, the legislative amendment is evidently intended to curtail the powers of incumbent President Faye.
According to media reports, the new constitution aims to replace the Constitutional Council with a Constitutional Court, which would be comprised of more membersm and to strengthen parliament's oversight powers. Under the changes, parliament must also be "automatically informed" of investment agreements related to natural resources in the country with a view towards improving the monitoring of public finances. Another provision states that the incumbent president of Senegal cannot simultaneously serve as the chair of a political party. "Parliament is being used to weaken the president," says Aminata Toure, chair of the presidential coalition. "The proposals appear to be aimed at limiting the influence of the President of the Republic by expanding the powers of the Speaker of the Assembly." An imbalance of power? The escalating power struggle between President Faye and his former ally Sonko has become all too apparent in parliament and beyond. Despite coming to power together in 2024, taking over from former President Macky Sall's government, the former allies within the PASTEF party have now become bitter rivals. The two had promised their voters a long list of comprehensive reforms, aiming to combat corruption in the country while boost the economy and offering better prospects for young people. But relations between the president and his now-former prime minister deteriorated, with Sonko openly criticizing Faye for his handling of Senegal's debt problems. Disagreements over governance intensified, with the tensions escalating in May: Faye fired Sonko as prime minister and dissolved the coalition government. Sonko however enjoys broad support in parliament; since PASTEF holds the majority of seats in the Assembly, Sonko was swiftly elected party chairman and speaker of the Assembly by the members of parliament.
The BriefWire