The amended legislation introduces a five-year waiting period following the completion of a sentence before rights are restored, with retroactive application. This provision could restore Ousmane Sonko’s eligibility to run for office in 2029.

Sonko barred from 2024 race

Before Senegal’s last presidential vote, Sonko was disqualified after a final defamation conviction upheld by the Supreme Court. He had endorsed his close ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye, whose victory at the polls marked a historic shift for the Pastef movement.

Tensions surface within ruling coalition

The reform has deepened divides within the ruling coalition. Some Sonko supporters accuse President Faye of attempting to block the bill, fueling speculation over a brewing rivalry ahead of the next election.

Political landscape shifts

Despite his 2024 ineligibility, Sonko secured a parliamentary seat in the legislative elections later that year. He chose to forgo his deputy role to remain Prime Minister, a position his camp now frames as evidence of his continued political relevance.