Senegal’s constitutional reform: civil society and opposition engage in crucial dialogue
The constitutional overhaul, recently announced by Senegalese authorities, is now entering a phase of extensive consultations. A delegation representing the Civil Society Coalition for the Implementation of the National Assizes’ conclusions and the National Commission for Institutional Reform’s work recently convened with the Takku Wallu parliamentary group, a leading opposition force within the National Assembly. This significant meeting signals a crucial step in preparing for an anticipated robust public debate, particularly as the executive branch, under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has prioritized institutional refoundation.
A cross-party dialogue on constitutional revision
The initiative spearheaded by civil society aims to secure explicit commitments from various political factions regarding the substance and timeline of the revision. The National Assizes, which commenced in 2008 through a broad political and citizen-led effort, had generated a comprehensive set of recommendations. These included proposals for 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 proposals were fully implemented.
This citizen coalition specifically intends to re-center these foundational texts within the parliamentary discussion. By engaging Takku Wallu, they are sending a clear political message: institutional reform cannot solely be the prerogative of a single majority, regardless of its strength. The parliamentary group, comprising deputies aligned with former President Macky Sall and other liberal-leaning members, holds significant influence in scrutinizing and proposing counter-arguments to forthcoming organic law projects.
Takku Wallu: a political interlocutor in transition
For the political bloc 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 snap legislative elections of November 2024, the parliamentary opposition is actively seeking alliances within civil society to influence the legislative agenda. The chosen format, emphasizing preliminary listening before any formal stance is adopted, allows both parties to explore common ground without committing to irreversible positions.
The topics poised to fuel these discussions are well-established. Key issues stemming from the Assizes include whether to abolish or retain the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, reforms to the Constitutional Council, defining the scope of the Head of State’s powers, the role of the Prime Minister, and the official status of the opposition. Additionally, the electoral system itself is under consideration, with several advocates pushing for the implementation of a partial proportional representation system to more accurately reflect political pluralism.
A tight schedule for a major institutional project
The executive branch has indicated that a draft revision could be presented to Parliament within the coming months. However, constitutional timelines mandate rigorous procedural steps. Any significant alteration to the fundamental law necessitates either a qualified vote by three-fifths of the deputies or a national referendum. While the parliamentary route appears technically feasible in an assembly where Pastef holds an overwhelming majority, the executive has repeatedly suggested opting for popular consultation to solidify the reform’s legitimacy.
This potential for a referendum underscores the critical importance of the ongoing consultations. A proactive civil society, coupled with early engagement from the opposition, significantly mitigates the risk of a highly polarized debate during the campaign period. Conversely, a process perceived as unilateral could expose the reform to challenges similar to those experienced during the 2016 revision under Macky Sall, which was characterized by substantial 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 to parties not currently represented in the Assembly. The primary objective is to solidify a foundational consensus before the official commencement of the legislative work. For Dakar, the credibility of the institutional transformation promised since March 2024 will largely hinge on the thoroughness and quality of this preparatory process. Discussions are anticipated to continue over the next few days.
