Ousmane Sonko urges Senegal’s president to sign constitutional reform into law

Ousmane Sonko, the president of Senegal’s National Assembly, has called on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to promulgate the law revising the constitution, which was adopted by a qualified majority of deputies on Monday. He stated that the head of state cannot pick which constitutional provisions suit him nor submit the text to a referendum, as in his view the vote by three-fifths of the National Assembly constitutes both adoption and approval.

Speaking after the reform vote, Sonko reminded that ‘the constituent power’ belongs to the National Assembly when convened. He argued that the president’s referral to the Constitutional Council was unjustified and noted that the high court has already ruled on the applicable procedure for constitutional revisions adopted by Parliament.

Sonko also criticised Faye’s stance on several reform provisions, including the requirement for the president to declare their assets upon entering and leaving office, and the ban on leading a political party during their term. He recalled that these commitments were defended by the current head of state when he was in opposition.

Calling this reform ‘one of the most consolidating’ for Senegalese democracy, Sonko argued it will strengthen transparency in public management while reducing the cost of democratic functioning. He urged the president to reconsider his position and promulgate the law, saying a referendum on these provisions would be unnecessary.