The constitutional overhaul, a key initiative of the Senegalese authorities, has entered a period of extensive consultations. A delegation from the Civil Society Coalition for the Implementation of National Assizes’ Conclusions and the National Commission for Institutional Reform’s recommendations recently held discussions with the Takku Wallu parliamentary group, the primary opposition bloc in the National Assembly. This significant meeting paves the way for what is expected to be a robust public debate, particularly as the administration led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has prioritized institutional restructuring.
A trans-partisan dialogue on constitutional revision
The civil society’s objective in this process is to secure explicit commitments from various political entities regarding the substance and timeline of the constitutional amendment. The National Assizes, launched in 2008 through a broad coalition of political and civic actors, had previously generated a comprehensive set of proposals. These included recommendations on limiting presidential terms, enhancing the separation of powers, and modernizing public administration. Further deliberations by the National Commission for Institutional Reform (CNRI), under the leadership of constitutional expert Amadou Mahtar Mbow, continued this important work in 2013, though not all of its suggestions were ultimately implemented.
The citizen coalition specifically aims to reintroduce these foundational documents into the heart of parliamentary discussions. By engaging Takku Wallu, they are sending a clear political message: institutional reform should not be the exclusive domain of any single majority, no matter how dominant. This parliamentary group, comprising deputies aligned with former President Macky Sall and other liberal factions, holds significant influence in scrutinizing and proposing alternatives 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 snap legislative elections of November 2024, the parliamentary opposition is actively seeking alliances within civil society to influence the legislative agenda. The chosen approach, involving preliminary discussions before any formal stance is adopted, allows both parties to explore the landscape without making irreversible commitments.
The topics expected to drive these conversations are well-established. Key issues stemming from the National Assizes include the potential abolition or retention of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, reforms to the Constitutional Council, defining the limits of the head of state’s powers, the role of the Prime Minister, and the official status of the opposition. Additionally, the electoral system is a prominent concern, with many advocating for the implementation of a partial proportional representation system to more accurately reflect political diversity.
A tight schedule for a major institutional undertaking
The executive branch has indicated that a draft revision could be presented to Parliament within the coming months. However, constitutional timelines mandate strict procedures. Any significant alteration to the fundamental law necessitates either a qualified vote of three-fifths of deputies or a national referendum. While the parliamentary route appears technically feasible given Pastef’s overwhelming majority in the assembly, the executive has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of a popular consultation to firmly establish the reform’s legitimacy.
This potential for a referendum underscores the critical importance of the ongoing consultations. An engaged civil society, coupled with early involvement from the opposition, can mitigate the risk of a highly polarized debate during the campaign phase. Conversely, a process perceived as unilateral could expose the reform to challenges reminiscent of the 2016 revision under Macky Sall, which was characterized by significant voter abstention.
In practical terms, the coming weeks are expected to see the citizen coalition broaden its engagements to include other parliamentary groups, notably Pastef itself, as well as political entities not currently represented in the National Assembly. The primary objective is to solidify a foundation of minimal consensus before the official launch of the legislative initiative. For the capital, Dakar, the credibility of the institutional reform promise, championed since March 2024, will largely depend on the thoroughness and inclusivity of this preparatory process.
