Senegal opposition unites behind Diomaye against Sonko reforms
The political landscape in Sénégal is witnessing unexpected shifts as the Parti Démocratique Sénégalais (PDS) aligns with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to challenge Ousmane Sonko’s constitutional reform agenda. This alliance, though circumstantial, underscores deeper strategic calculations within the opposition.
President Faye recently announced plans for a national referendum on contentious constitutional amendments pushed by the Pastef party of Ousmane Sonko. These amendments aim to expand parliamentary powers while curtailing those of the presidency. In response, the PDS—led by former President Abdoulaye Wade—has publicly endorsed a “no” vote in the upcoming referendum, marking a significant departure from its earlier alliances.
From rivalry to reluctant collaboration
The PDS’s current stance contrasts sharply with its 2022 electoral alliance with Pastef, where both parties joined forces to challenge the ruling coalition under Macky Sall. At the time, Karim Wade, the PDS’s presidential candidate, was sidelined from the race, and the party pivoted to support the Sonko-Faye ticket. This decision extended Faye’s electoral base but also reflected Wade’s ambitions to retain influence despite his exclusion.
Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of Dakar’s E-Jicom journalism school, notes that the PDS’s alignment with Faye was more about political survival than ideological alignment. “The PDS, after losing power, faced a steep decline. This was an opportunity to reposition itself within the political arena,” he explains.
Opposition rallies against Sonko’s agenda
The PDS’s latest move—to oppose constitutional reforms while supporting Faye’s referendum—highlights a broader trend among opposition factions. The party’s statement urges voters to “block” the proposed changes, framing them as a power grab by Sonko: “These repeated attempts to revise our constitution serve only Ousmane Sonko’s personal ambitions, betraying his disregard for democratic institutions.”
Sy emphasizes that this opposition transcends party lines: “Even those not directly rallying behind Faye are united in their rejection of Sonko’s radical approach. He is increasingly seen as an obstacle to national reconciliation.”
Faye’s quest for broader alliances
President Faye’s growing political isolation within Pastef has prompted him to seek new alliances. Sy suggests Faye is already laying the groundwork for a post-Pastef coalition, stating: “He understands that his future electoral prospects depend on expanding his base beyond Pastef. His strategy now revolves around consolidating the ‘Diomaye Président’ coalition.”
The analyst adds that fractures within Pastef are irreversible, with Sonko’s faction viewing Faye as a traitor: “For them, Faye is already a relic of the past. The betrayal is seen as complete.”
