Senegal constitutional court gets new president

Dakar, July 13, 2026 — A major reshuffle has taken place at the helm of Senegal’s Constitutional Court. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed Ousmane Diagne as both member and president of the court, following the decree n°2026-1318.

This appointment marks a notable comeback for Diagne, who previously served as Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals in the first government led by Ousmane Sonko. His removal from the executive team during later reshuffles had temporarily sidelined him from the political spotlight. Now, he returns to a pivotal role within Senegal’s judicial system.

With a distinguished career in the judiciary, Ousmane Diagne has held key positions including Procureur général near the Dakar Court of Appeal and Premier Avocat général near the Supreme Court. His legal expertise and political experience position him well to lead the court through its next challenges.

He succeeds the late Mamadou Badio Camara, whose passing created a leadership void in this essential institution. The Constitutional Court plays a critical role in resolving institutional and electoral disputes, most recently intervening in the constitutional reform impasse.

This decision underscores President Faye’s commitment to reinforcing judicial independence while leveraging experienced figures to navigate Senegal’s evolving political landscape.