Political chess game between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko intensifies

On September 1st, the Prime Minister will face lawmakers during his General Policy Declaration, just days after the National Assembly’s proposal to regulate special funds was deemed inadmissible. Will he risk a no-confidence motion, or will political calculations hold him back? The coming weeks and months promise strategic maneuvers from all sides, with Ousmane Sonko seemingly gaining the upper hand under the watchful eyes of the public.

The constitutional council sides with the executive

The tug-of-war between the executive and legislative branches has reached a new peak, with the Constitutional Council once again siding firmly with the government. In its latest ruling (Decision No. 7/C/2026), the Council declared inadmissible the proposed law regulating special funds—a move anticipated by many observers. The Prime Minister had already publicly argued that such legislation encroached on the executive’s regulatory domain, and the Council’s decision merely confirmed this stance.

While the legal justification for the rejection may continue to spark debate, the real battleground lies in the political arena. Here, Ousmane Sonko appears to be seizing the initiative, with public opinion closely monitoring every move. The rejection of the bill, though a tactical win for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s camp, has been swiftly seized upon by the Pastef, which issued a statement accusing the government of backtracking on its commitments.

A pyrrhic victory for the government

The government’s victory, while legally sound, carries little political weight. The decision to block the proposed law on special funds may have prevented legislative interference in executive matters, but it has done little to quell the broader political tensions simmering between the two camps. As lawmakers prepare for the Prime Minister’s General Policy Declaration, the stakes could not be higher. Will the government risk a no-confidence motion, or will it continue to play the long game?

The coming weeks and months will be defined by political maneuvering, with Ousmane Sonko seemingly holding the advantage. Public scrutiny remains intense, and every decision—every move—will be scrutinized for its implications. The chessboard is set, and the players are locked in a high-stakes game where every piece counts.