The constitutional overhaul announced by Senegalese authorities is progressing into an extensive consultation phase. A delegation from the Civil Society Coalition for the Application of the National Assizes’ Conclusions and the National Commission for Institutional Reform’s Work recently met with the Takku Wallu parliamentary group, the primary opposition bloc in the National Assembly. This crucial meeting marks a significant step in preparing for what promises to be an intense public debate, especially as the executive, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has prioritized institutional refoundation.
A cross-party dialogue on constitutional revision
The initiative undertaken by civil society aims to secure unequivocal commitments from various political factions regarding the content and timeline of the constitutional revision. The National Assizes, launched in 2008 through a broad political and citizen initiative, had previously generated a comprehensive set of recommendations. These included proposals on limiting presidential terms, enhancing the separation of powers, and modernizing public administration. Subsequent efforts by the National Commission for Institutional Reform (CNRI), chaired by constitutional expert Amadou Mahtar Mbow, further developed these ideas in 2013, though not all of its recommendations were fully implemented.
The citizen coalition’s precise objective is to re-center these foundational texts within the parliamentary discourse. By reaching out to Takku Wallu, the coalition sends a clear political message: institutional refoundation cannot be the exclusive domain of a single majority, no matter how substantial. The parliamentary group, comprising deputies aligned with former President Macky Sall and other liberal sensibilities, holds considerable influence in scrutinizing and proposing counter-arguments to upcoming organic bills.
Takku Wallu, a political interlocutor in reconfiguration
For the political entity now led by the successors of the Alliance for the Republic, these consultations present a strategic platform. Following the decisive victory of the Pastef party in the early legislative elections of November 2024, the parliamentary opposition is actively seeking alliances within civil society to exert influence over the legislative agenda. The chosen format, involving preliminary listening before any formal stance is adopted, allows both parties to explore common ground without entering into irreversible commitments.
The critical issues expected to fuel discussions are well-known. These include the potential abolition or retention of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, reforms to the Constitutional Council, mechanisms to curb the powers of the Head of State, the precise role of the Prime Minister, and the official status of the opposition. These points are direct inheritances from the National Assizes. Additionally, the electoral system is a key topic, with several voices advocating for the introduction of a partial proportional representation system to better reflect Senegal’s political pluralism.
A tight schedule for a major institutional undertaking
The executive branch has indicated that a proposed revision could be presented to Parliament in the coming months. However, the constitutional timeline mandates strict procedural steps. Any significant alteration to the fundamental law requires either a qualified three-fifths vote by deputies or a national referendum. While Pastef commands an overwhelming majority in the legislative body, making the parliamentary route technically viable, the executive has frequently suggested resorting to popular consultation to solidify the reform’s legitimacy.
This prospect of a referendum underscores the heightened importance of the ongoing consultations. A mobilized civil society, coupled with an opposition involved early in the process, significantly reduces the risk of a polarized debate during any subsequent campaign. Conversely, a process perceived as unilateral could expose the reform to challenges similar to those that marred the 2016 revision under Macky Sall, which was characterized by high voter abstention.
In the coming weeks, the citizen coalition is expected to broaden its outreach, extending meetings to other parliamentary groups, including Pastef itself, as well as political formations not currently represented in the Assembly. The overarching objective is to forge a foundational consensus before the official commencement of the legislative work. For Dakar, the credibility of the institutional ‘rupture’ promised since March 2024 will largely hinge on the quality and inclusivity of this preparatory process.