Senegal constitutional reform sparks tension between Sonko and Faye

The Senegalese National Assembly adopted a sweeping revision of the Constitution this past Monday, June 29, 2026, with 129 deputies from the ruling Pastef parliamentary group casting their votes in favor. Despite the opposition’s boycott of the plenary session, the proposal secured an overwhelming majority.

Sonko questions Faye’s stance on key constitutional changes

Following the vote, Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly, addressed the nation’s leader, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, highlighting significant discrepancies between their positions on critical elements of the revised Constitution.

« There is still room for hope. It is never too late to return to what truly matters—the essence of our shared political vision. I find it difficult to fathom how commitments can shift so drastically in such a short time, » Sonko remarked, directly engaging with the Head of State.

Disputes over presidential asset declarations

The debate centers on the stipulation regarding presidential asset declarations. Initially, the draft law mandated that declarations be made both at the start and conclusion of a president’s term. However, subsequent amendments have raised concerns, with Sonko questioning the rationale behind these changes.

« He himself stated, during his campaign, that presidential candidates must declare their assets upon entering office and again upon leaving. The videos are still available. What has changed? » Sonko challenged, emphasizing the importance of upholding campaign promises made to the Senegalese people.

« On what grounds can one individual selectively apply certain provisions while disregarding others? Such an approach is unacceptable, » he asserted, underscoring the need for consistency in governance.

Growing rift within the ruling coalition

These public remarks expose mounting tensions between two of the country’s most influential political figures, despite their shared leadership in the Pastef movement, which propelled Faye to victory in the March 2024 presidential election.