Political tensions shake Senegal after constitutional reform falls

Senegal is today under the spotlight of an international report that exposes deepening political divisions between two of its most influential leaders. The documentary, titled Friends turned foes: The split reshaping Senegal, delves into the growing rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who once stood united under the PASTEF banner.

The timing of this coverage coincides with a dramatic judicial turn: just two days earlier, Senegal’s Constitutional Council invalidated a constitutional reform adopted by Parliament in late June. This decision has intensified the standoff between the two leaders and redrawn the political landscape, with the 2029 presidential election looming large on the horizon.

From allies to adversaries: the unraveling of a winning alliance

Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko secured a historic victory together in the 2024 presidential election as PASTEF candidates. The party’s commanding majority—130 seats out of 165 in the National Assembly—was expected to streamline governance and policy implementation.

Yet, as the report highlights, ideological and strategic disagreements quickly surfaced. Disputes centered on economic policy and Senegal’s relationship with international institutions such as the IMF. Analysts have framed the conflict as a “fratricidal struggle”, with Faye and Sonko representing two conflicting visions of power and governance in the country.

The Prime Minister’s dual role—leading both the government and the National Assembly—has only deepened the strain. This unusual concentration of legislative and executive authority has fueled friction with the presidency, casting a spotlight on an institutional setup that many see as unsustainable.

The constitutional reform at the heart of the battle

On June 29, 2026, Parliament approved a sweeping constitutional reform aimed at enhancing the powers of the legislature and the Prime Minister. The proposed changes included stripping the President of the authority to lead a political party and replacing the Constitutional Council with a nine-member Constitutional Court.

President Faye challenged the reform’s passage, filing a petition with the Constitutional Council on July 7. The Council ruled against the reform on July 10, citing procedural irregularities and the absence of a funding plan for the new Constitutional Court.

Prime Minister Sonko responded with a terse statement asserting that the decision “applies to all”. Yet, the brevity of his remarks did little to clarify the path forward amid ongoing institutional confrontation.

A high-stakes showdown watched from abroad

The international coverage underscores the global attention on Senegal’s unfolding political crisis. The report offers a detailed analysis of what it describes as a major political realignment, resonating across Francophone Africa where Senegal is often seen as a bastion of democratic stability.

With a population of nearly 19 million, Senegal remains a key economic and diplomatic partner for France in West Africa. The crisis has drawn widespread local media attention, with outlets dissecting the implications of the reform’s collapse and the growing divide at the top of the state.

Some observers have framed the Faye-Sonko conflict as a “clash of titans”, a term echoed by regional analysts and commentators. The uncertainty gripping the government is being closely monitored by regional and international partners alike.

Senegal’s evolving political landscape

Senegal operates as a presidential republic, where the head of state traditionally wields significant authority. The 2024 election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye marked a historic shift, driven by the momentum of PASTEF and the enduring popularity of Ousmane Sonko.

The current configuration—where the Prime Minister also serves as President of the National Assembly—is an anomaly that concentrates legislative and executive power in one person. This setup has fueled the President’s opposition to the reform, which he views as a deliberate move to weaken the presidency.

Beyond political power struggles, Senegal faces pressing economic challenges, including public debt management and negotiations with the IMF. The disagreements between Faye and Sonko on these issues reflect broader strategic divisions that go beyond mere power politics.

Election outlook and future implications

The 2027 local elections and the 2029 presidential race loom large as critical milestones. Analysts warn that the rift between Faye and Sonko could reshape the electoral landscape, potentially splitting the PASTEF or forcing a realignment of political alliances.

The party’s overwhelming parliamentary majority adds another layer of complexity: neither leader can govern effectively without the other’s cooperation, raising the risk of institutional paralysis. At stake is control over the party’s machinery and, by extension, the future direction of Senegal.

The international report frames this moment not as a passing storm, but as the opening chapter of a prolonged struggle for power. The coming months will reveal whether the two leaders can find a way to coexist—or if the break becomes permanent.

While the Constitutional Council’s ruling provided temporary relief for President Faye, it did not resolve the underlying tensions. Senegal’s political scene now enters a period of uncertainty, watched closely by regional and global observers.