Palace manoeuvres: how President Faye neutralised Sonko’s parliamentary victory

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has decided to send the constitutional revision to a referendum, thwarting the opposition’s parliamentary win. This bold move revives the constitutional debate and reshapes the power balance inside the National Assembly.

Just as majority deputies handed Pastef a legislative success by passing the constitutional amendment bill with 129 votes, the final word came from the Palace — and it completely altered the situation. According to Justice Minister Moussa Sarr, President Faye chose not to begin the promulgation process for the text as it emerged from parliament. Instead, he invoked Article 103 of the Constitution to put the reform to a referendum. That decision effectively halts Pastef’s parliamentary strategy. A victory for the deputies… neutralised by the Palace. Everything seemed set for swift adoption. Despite the rejection of government amendments, majority deputies validated the version produced in committee, reinforcing the political will of the bill’s sponsors. But behind the scenes, Bassirou Diomaye Faye…