Ousmane Sonko denounces presidential interference in Sénégal’s constitutional reform

Following the National Assembly’s endorsement of the proposed constitutional revision, Ousmane Sonko has spoken out against the methodology used to draft the final text. He placed the blame for recent controversies squarely on the Head of State, suggesting that the executive branch overstepped its bounds during the legislative process.

Allegations of executive overreach

During his address, Ousmane Sonko claimed that any distortion of the reform’s original intent originated from the presidency. He argued that the text was modified to suit the personal preferences of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, rather than reflecting a broader consensus. “If there has been any tampering, it comes from the President of the Republic,” he stated, reminding the public that the Constitution is not the personal property of Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Key provisions allegedly removed

The President of the National Assembly highlighted specific measures that were reportedly omitted from the final version of the text. Among these were the mandatory declaration of assets at the conclusion of a presidential term and a ban preventing the Head of State from leading a political party while in office. He questioned the legitimacy of a single individual selecting which democratic advancements to keep and which to discard, calling such a practice unacceptable.

Clarifying the separation of powers

In a firm reminder of legal principles, Ousmane Sonko detailed the hierarchy of authority regarding constitutional changes. He asserted that the President does not hold constituent power. According to his analysis, the National Assembly acts as the derived constituent power, while the ultimate authority—the original constituent power—belongs exclusively to the people of Sénégal when they are called to participate in a referendum.