Ousmane Sonko, president of Senegal’s National Assembly, has urged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to promulgate the constitutional revision law passed by a qualified majority of deputies this Monday. According to Sonko, the head of state cannot pick and choose which constitutional provisions suit him, nor submit the text to a referendum. He argues that under his interpretation, the vote of three-fifths of the National Assembly constitutes both adoption and approval.
Speaking after the vote on the reform, Sonko reminded that “constituent power” belongs to the National Assembly when it is convened. He described the president’s referral to the Constitutional Council as unjustified, stating that the high court has already ruled on the procedure for constitutional revisions adopted by parliament.
The National Assembly president also criticised Faye’s stance on several reform provisions, including the requirement for the president to declare assets at the start and end of his term, and the ban on leading a political party while in office. Sonko recalled that these commitments were championed by the current head of state when he was in opposition.
Calling the reform “one of the most consolidating” for Senegalese democracy, Sonko argued it will strengthen transparency in public management while reducing the cost of democratic functioning. He finally called on the president to reconsider his position and promulgate the law, arguing that a referendum on these provisions would be unnecessary.
