Bras de fer constitutionnel : Pourquoi Bassirou Diomaye Faye choisit le référendum contre Ousmane Sonko
On June 29, 2026, the National Assembly adopted a major constitutional amendment that alters the balance of power, limiting the prerogatives of the President of the Republic and strengthening the role of Parliament and the Prime Minister. But instead of promulgating the text, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye chose to directly seek popular approval by resorting to a referendum. This decision is far from insignificant: it allows him to bypass a parliamentary majority now led by his former Prime Minister and current rival, Ousmane Sonko.
By sending the bill back to the people, the head of state gains several strategic advantages. First, he avoids automatic adoption by the National Assembly, where Pastef holds a comfortable majority that would have made the reform final in a second reading. Second, he benefits from an exceptional national platform to mobilize public opinion and politically weaken his rival, positioning himself as the guarantor of the people's interests against parliamentarians deemed too ambitious. Finally, control of the electoral calendar allows him to set the election date to his advantage.
A rejection of the reform at the ballot box would be a resounding political victory for Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Conversely, the adoption of the revised charter would force him to work with a strengthened Parliament and a Prime Minister with expanded powers, a prospect that would significantly reduce his room for maneuver for the remainder of his term.
Points of contention: heritage, party, and prime minister's office
Among the most controversial provisions of this reform are several measures that touch upon the core of presidential power. The asset declaration at the end of his term, which the president opposes, raises questions about transparency, especially since the fight against corruption was one of the key commitments of his 2024 election campaign.
The prohibition on the head of state leading a political party is another provision that is fueling tensions. It would neutralize the president by depriving him of his electoral machine and his partisan base, forcing him into a more arbitral than political role. Finally, the strengthening of the prime minister's powers, whose role would be defined by an obligation to "consult" with the president in defining national policy, constitutes an unprecedented limitation of presidential prerogatives, reducing the head of state to a coordinating role rather than one of effective leadership.
A complete break and political realignments
The break between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, finalized on May 22, 2026, with the latter's dismissal, is merely the tip of the iceberg of a broader realignment of the Senegalese political scene. Recent meetings between the president and Emmanuel Macron, as well as with figures from Macky Sall's former regime, are fueling speculation about a shift in alliances.
Some observers see this as an attempt to broaden his electoral base in view of the 2029 presidential election, even if it means straying from the promises of 2024. This realignment, if confirmed, could allow the president to form an alternative coalition, but it also risks strengthening the feeling of betrayal among his former allies and accentuating the polarization of the political landscape.
This referendum is much more than a vote on constitutional articles. It is a test for Senegalese democracy and a revealer of the personal ambitions of the various actors.
The Senegalese people will have to choose between two visions of power, but above all, it is trust in political discourse that is at stake. The upcoming referendum campaign promises to be one of the most hotly contested in the country's history.
Commentaires (57)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.
Se connecter
Commentez avec votre profil, votre photo, et soyez averti des réponses.