Senegal’s constitutional reform to face a referendum

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced plans to submit the constitutional revision bill to a referendum if it is first approved by the National Assembly. The proposed reform, backed by the parliamentary majority, aims to rebalance power among state institutions and reduce the president’s authority. The announcement was made on Monday 29 June by Justice Minister Moussa Sarr during a session in parliament. According to Sarr, the head of state informed the speaker of the assembly of his decision to invoke Article 103 of the constitution, which allows a constitutional amendment to be put to a popular vote.

The text under discussion seeks to reshape Senegal’s institutional architecture by strengthening the roles of the executive, legislative and judicial branches. It envisions a clearer distribution of responsibilities, which would result in curbing certain powers traditionally held by the president. The reform enjoys support from the parliamentary majority aligned with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whose party dominates the assembly.

Growing tensions at the top

The initiative comes amid mounting strains between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko, longstanding political allies who came to power after the March 2024 elections. In recent months, disagreements have surfaced over several issues, raising questions about unity within the executive branch. By opting for a referendum, President Faye bypasses the need for a definitive parliamentary vote alone and instead seeks a direct mandate from citizens. The outcome of the referendum will decide the fate of a project that its backers present as a crucial step toward a new organization of Senegal’s institutions.