Senegal Constitutional Reform Sparks Fierce Debate, Widens Rift Between President Faye and Sonko

Senegal is facing heightened political tensions as its Parliament debates a constitutional reform project, a move that has exacerbated divisions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's coalition and the PASTEF party, led by Ousmane Sonko. The controversy ignited even before the vote, revealing a significant rift over the proposed changes.

The core of the dispute lies in last-minute amendments introduced to the reform project. Supporters of President Faye accuse PASTEF, which initiated the text, of altering its original purpose, which included curbing the president's powers. Faye's allies have quickly labeled this a political maneuver, accusing the new Speaker of Parliament, Sonko, of adopting a "revanchist position" following his dismissal from the Prime Minister's office last month.

These escalating tensions surrounding a reform meant to enhance governance in Senegal cast a shadow over the country's political future. The situation starkly illustrates the widening gap between President Faye and Sonko, former allies who united to gain power but now appear to be on the verge of a complete political separation, if not already divorced.

Even segments of civil society, such as the "Yen a marre" movement, have voiced concerns, questioning PASTEF's approach and calling for broader consultations on the revised text. President Faye's supporters argue that the significant changes warrant a public referendum. Despite these objections, the majority parliamentary group, dominated by PASTEF with 130 out of 165 deputies, defended the project's validity and procedural regularity, voting it through on June 29. The opposing camp, however, remains defiant, signaling that the political struggle is far from over.