The magistrate Ousmane Diagne has been officially sworn into office as the new president of Senegal’s Constitutional Council, following a solemn ceremony held on August 11, 2026. His appointment marks the end of a prolonged vacancy that lasted more than a year after the passing of his predecessor, Mamadou Badio Camara, in April 2025.
Appointment and official installation
Appointed by presidential decree no. 2026-1318 on July 13, 2026, Ousmane Diagne was formally installed during an oath-taking ceremony presided over by Senegal’s Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The decree replaced the previous position, which had remained vacant following Camara’s death.
Judicial career and legal expertise
Diagne, a seasoned figure in Senegal’s judiciary, brings extensive experience to his new role. His career highlights include serving as Prosecutor General at the Dakar Court of Appeal, First Advocate General at the Supreme Court, and Public Prosecutor of the Republic. He also previously held the position of Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals in the first government led by Ousmane Sonko.
His appointment aligns with the constitutional requirements, which mandate that the head of the Constitutional Council must be a magistrate with a distinguished career, including roles such as First President or Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court, President of a Chamber, or a professor of law with tenure. Alternatively, senior civil servants or lawyers with at least two decades of practice are also eligible.
Key responsibilities of the Constitutional Council
The Constitutional Council, now led by Diagne, serves as the guardian of Senegal’s fundamental law. Its primary duties include ensuring constitutional compliance, verifying the legality of proposed laws, and overseeing the integrity of electoral processes across the country. This institution plays a pivotal role in upholding democratic principles and safeguarding the rule of law in Senegal.
