In Senegal, the political landscape has shifted as opposition forces rally behind President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to counter the constitutional reforms spearheaded by Ousmane Sonko and his Pastef party. This unexpected alliance is reshaping the nation’s power dynamics, with the Parti Démocratique Sénégalais (PDS) emerging as a key player in the unfolding political narrative.
The PDS, led by former President Abdoulaye Wade, has publicly opposed the referendum on constitutional amendments, urging voters to reject the proposed changes. The reforms, approved by a majority in the National Assembly, aim to strengthen parliamentary powers while curbing those of the presidency—a move proposed by Pastef. This stance places the PDS firmly in Diomaye Faye’s corner, despite the party’s historical ties to Wade’s rival, Karim Wade, who was excluded from the 2024 presidential race.
From rivalry to reluctant partnership
The PDS’s decision to support Diomaye Faye is not entirely altruistic. In 2022, the party joined forces with Pastef during legislative elections to challenge President Macky Sall’s ruling coalition. By early 2024, as Karim Wade’s presidential ambitions stalled due to legal challenges, the PDS pivoted to backing the Sonko–Faye ticket, helping Diomaye Faye secure the presidency.
Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of the E-Jicom journalism school in Dakar, suggests this alliance was driven more by political pragmatism than shared ideology. “The PDS saw an opportunity to reposition itself after years in the political wilderness,” he explains. “With Wade sidelined, aligning with Diomaye Faye offered a chance to regain influence.”
A fragile coalition
Despite their collaboration in 2024, the PDS has remained independent, refusing to integrate into Diomaye Faye’s government or Pastef’s ranks. Sy notes that the party’s shifting alliances—including a later partnership with Sall’s APR—reflect its opportunistic approach. “The PDS is playing the long game, hedging its bets to survive politically,” he says.
Meanwhile, tensions between Diomaye Faye and Sonko have intensified, creating an opening for the PDS to reassert itself. The party has framed its opposition to the reforms not as support for the president, but as resistance to Sonko’s perceived power grab. In a recent statement, the PDS called on voters to “bar the path” to the reforms, accusing Sonko of undermining Senegal’s democratic institutions.
Diomaye Faye’s quest for stability
For Diomaye Faye, the PDS’s backing is a strategic lifeline. As criticism within Pastef grows, the president is quietly cultivating alternative alliances to secure his political future. Sy believes Diomaye Faye is already distancing himself from the party that propelled him to power. “He’s betting on a new coalition, one that excludes Pastef,” the analyst notes. “The break is irreversible—their rhetoric now frames him as a traitor.”
The opposition’s fragmented response to the reforms highlights deeper divisions. While some factions oppose the changes to safeguard democratic norms, others see them as a tactical move against Sonko. Either way, the PDS’s involvement underscores the fluid, often unpredictable nature of Senegal’s political alliances.
What’s next for Senegal?
As the referendum looms, the PDS’s role in mobilizing opposition could prove decisive. Yet analysts warn that this alliance is temporary, rooted in mutual convenience rather than shared vision. For Diomaye Faye, the challenge lies in balancing these shifting loyalties while steering Senegal toward stability. The outcome will shape not just the fate of the reforms, but the future of the nation’s political landscape.
