Ousmane Sonko challenges Bassirou Diomaye Faye over constitutional changes in Sénégal

On Monday, June 29, 2026, the National Assembly of Sénégal passed a significant constitutional revision with a dominant majority. Despite a boycott by opposition members, the legislative package received support from all 129 Pastef majority deputies in attendance.

Tensions rise between Sonko and Faye

Following the parliamentary session, the Speaker of the Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, addressed the growing friction between his office and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding specific clauses within the reform.

“We remain hopeful. It is never too late to return to the fundamental values that define our political identity. I find it difficult to believe such a significant shift could occur in such a short window,” Ousmane Sonko remarked, speaking directly to the Head of State.

The primary point of contention involves the transparency of the President’s assets. According to Sonko, the initial draft of the reform mandated a full declaration of assets at both the start and the conclusion of the presidential term. However, this requirement has recently faced pushback.

“He stated it himself during the campaign: the President of the Republic must declare his wealth upon entering and leaving office. The video records are clear. What has changed since then?” Sonko questioned.

He emphasized that commitments made to the citizens of Sénégal should not be subject to modification based on political convenience.

“It is unacceptable for a single individual to assume the authority to cherry-pick which provisions to uphold and which to discard,” he asserted.

These public comments underscore a visible rift between the two prominent figures who jointly spearheaded the Pastef political agenda during the March 2024 presidential election.