The Senegalese Constitutional Council has dealt a fresh blow to Ousmane Sonko’s ambitions by rejecting the institutional reform bill proposed by his Pastef party. The decision, issued yesterday, marks a significant setback for the ruling majority, which had pushed the controversial text through the National Assembly with ease.

The reform, designed to rebalance institutional powers, was declared unconstitutional by the Council following a presidential referral. The judges identified two critical flaws: first, the absence of a funding mechanism for the planned constitutional court that the reform sought to establish; second, procedural irregularities during the parliamentary examination of government amendments.

The Council’s ruling arrives at a moment when tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko are escalating. The latter, recently ousted from the Prime Minister’s office, has continued to exert influence through his new role as National Assembly president. Their public disagreements have intensified, with Sonko publicly characterizing their relationship as a “cohabitation” situation.

Political reactions and future implications

Ousmane Sonko acknowledged the court’s decision in a social media statement, while the presidential coalition emphasized the importance of institutional balance and ongoing dialogue. The opposition, led by former MP Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté, welcomed the ruling as a safeguard against unilateral constitutional changes. She stressed that any future reform must comply strictly with fiscal and procedural constitutional requirements, particularly regarding public expenditure and parliamentary voting methods.

Civil society leader Dr. Binette Ndiaye hailed the decision as a victory for democratic principles. In a statement, she highlighted the need for inclusive processes when amending fundamental laws: “This reminds us that we operate in a Republic where majority power must be exercised with respect for minority voices. The absence of prior consultation and consensus-building was deeply concerning.”

Institutional power struggle intensifies

The constitutional crisis unfolds against a backdrop of growing rivalry between Senegal’s two most prominent political figures. The rejected reform would have expanded parliamentary oversight into natural resource contracts and broadened investigative powers. Its collapse represents another chapter in the power struggle that threatens to destabilize the nation’s political landscape in the coming months.