Senegal's Constitutional Council Rejects Special Funds Law, Deepening Political Rift

Senegal's Constitutional Council has once again rejected a legislative proposal passed by Parliament, this time concerning the regulation of special funds. This marks the second such rejection within a month, highlighting a growing tension between the legislative and executive branches, and intensifying the political rivalry between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, the speaker of the National Assembly.

The rejected proposal sought to bring greater transparency to the use of "secret funds" managed by the presidency. While described as a reasonable measure, its timing and origin, emanating from a parliament largely controlled by Sonko's PASTEF party, made it politically charged. The Executive, led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo, contested the law, arguing that the management of these funds falls exclusively under the Executive's purview.

The Constitutional Council's decision sided with the Executive, ruling that Parliament cannot impose control over these secret funds. This outcome is viewed as another win for President Faye over Sonko, following the Council's earlier rejection of a reform aimed at altering the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches. The repeated setbacks for parliamentary initiatives are fueling speculation about the depth of the political conflict between Faye and Sonko.

Sonko, who believes the presidency is rightfully his after withdrawing from the last presidential election under controversial circumstances, appears determined to leverage his party's dominant position in the National Assembly. His rivalry with his former ally, now his fiercest opponent, seems set to continue, with further legal and political battles anticipated. The ongoing dispute raises questions about the stability of the political landscape in Senegal as this power struggle unfolds.