Senegalese opposition shifts support to Diomaye Faye against Sonko

In Sénégal, the Parti Démocratique Sénégalais (PDS) has officially called for a “no” vote regarding the upcoming constitutional referendum. This move signals a significant realignment as the party sides with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye against the reforms pushed by Ousmane Sonko.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently announced a popular consultation to let the people decide the fate of a law that has sparked intense debate. The proposed text, which passed through the National Assembly with the backing of Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party, intends to increase parliamentary oversight while reducing the powers of the presidency.

The PDS has now joined the president’s side, urging its supporters to reject these changes. This strategic pivot by the party of Abdoulaye Wade is the latest chapter in a volatile political history.

The evolution of the PDS-Diomaye relationship

The roots of this cooperation stretch back to the 2022 legislative elections, when the PDS teamed up with Pastef to challenge the dominance of then-President Macky Sall. By the 2024 presidential election, the PDS took its support further, endorsing the Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko ticket after Karim Wade was barred from running. This backing helped widen the president’s electoral base at a critical moment.

While the alliance was framed as a defense of democratic principles and a way to defeat Amadou Ba, it was also a calculated move. The PDS felt betrayed by the Macky Sall administration’s role in Karim Wade’s disqualification. For Karim Wade, supporting the opposition was a way to maintain political relevance from exile.

A partnership of necessity, not ideology

However, this cooperation did not lead to a formal government coalition. After the election, the PDS chose to remain independent, staying out of both Pastef’s inner circle and the broader presidential alliance. This distance suggests that the proximity was based on political calculation rather than a shared vision for the country.

The PDS appears to be repositioning itself to regain the influence it lost after leaving power. By moving closer to the current presidency, the party seeks to remain a key player in Sénégal’s political landscape. This strategy was evident in late 2024 when, in a surprising turn, the PDS briefly allied with Macky Sall’s APR for snap legislative elections.

Blocking Ousmane Sonko’s path

The current friction between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko has provided the PDS with a new opening. The party is now backing the president’s decision to hold a referendum while simultaneously urging voters to reject the proposed institutional changes.

In a strongly worded statement, the PDS called on its members and the wider public to block these reforms. They argue that the changes are designed solely to serve the personal ambitions of Ousmane Sonko, accusing him of a “thirst for power” and a “hatred of republican institutions” that form the foundation of Senegalese democracy.

This sentiment is shared by much of the opposition. While they may not be full supporters of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, they are united in their opposition to Ousmane Sonko. Many political figures now view the Pastef leader as a disruptive force who prevents national unity with his radical rhetoric.

A temporary alignment for the president

The opposition to these reforms is not necessarily a sign of long-term loyalty to the president. Rather, it is a reaction against what many see as a power grab by the legislative branch. The perception that Pastef is becoming increasingly exclusive is pushing other parties toward the president, if only temporarily.

For Bassirou Diomaye Faye, this could be an opportunity to build a new political foundation. As his relationship with Pastef reaches a breaking point—with some in the party even calling his actions a “betrayal”—the president is looking to strengthen his “Diomaye Président” coalition. The support of established groups like the PDS, even if circumstantial, could be vital for his future political survival.