Senegal’s constitutional overhaul: a new power dynamic or strategic maneuver?

A significant constitutional revision bill garnered unanimous approval from the 129 parliamentarians present in the National Assembly on Monday. This pivotal legislative proposal, championed by the Pastef party, aims to significantly bolster the authority of both the Parliament and the Prime Minister, while simultaneously redefining the specific powers held by the President of the Republic. However, this reform has ignited considerable debate, with the presidential coalition and several opposition factions suggesting it has been meticulously crafted to benefit Ousmane Sonko, the former Prime Minister who now presides over the National Assembly. This raises critical questions: Are these allegations truly substantiated? What motivated President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to put this text to a national referendum? Is this merely a transparent democratic consultation, or does it represent a calculated political strategy?