Ousmane Diagne takes helm of Sénégal’s constitutional council

The presidency of Sénégal officially announced the appointment of Ousmane Diagne to lead the nation’s Constitutional Council this Monday, July 13, 2026. The former Keeper of the Seals, who previously served in Ousmane Sonko’s inaugural government before his departure, now assumes a pivotal institutional role, succeeding the revered late Mamadou Badio Camara.

A wave of institutional renewal is sweeping through Sénégal’s highest judicial body. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye formally designated Mr. Ousmane Diagne as both a member and the President of the Constitutional Council, a decision solidified by decree n° 2026 – 1318. This strategic move is a key development in African politics, reflecting shifts within the nation’s governance.

Mr. Diagne brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having distinguished himself through a notable career in the judiciary. His past roles include serving as Prosecutor General at the Dakar Court of Appeal and as First Advocate General at the Supreme Court, demonstrating his deep understanding of Sénégal’s legal framework.

Politically, Ousmane Diagne held the esteemed portfolio of Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, within the very first government formed under Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko at the outset of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration. Following subsequent cabinet reshuffles, he had been removed from the executive branch. His latest appointment to the presidency of the Constitutional Council thus signals a significant and high-profile comeback to the institutional landscape of Sénégal.

He steps into the shoes of a towering figure in Senegalese jurisprudence, replacing the late Mamadou Badio Camara, whose passing created a void at the helm of this crucial institution. The Constitutional Council, frequently called upon to mediate institutional and electoral disputes—such as the recent contention over constitutional reform—will now be guided by this seasoned jurist and former governmental stalwart.