The Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) has taken a firm stance against the proposed constitutional amendments championed by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, calling on citizens to vote “no” in the upcoming referendum. This unexpected alignment with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration marks a significant shift in Senegal’s political landscape.

The controversial constitutional reform bill, which passed through the National Assembly with majority support, seeks to expand parliamentary powers while curbing those of the presidency. Initially proposed by the PASTEF party led by Ousmane Sonko, the amendments have sparked intense debate across the country.

In a dramatic reversal from its previous alliances, the PDS—once a fierce opponent of President Macky Sall’s administration—now stands alongside President Faye in opposing Sonko’s reform agenda. This move underscores the evolving dynamics of Senegalese politics, where strategic realignments are reshaping traditional power structures.

From rivals to reluctant allies: the PDS journey to supporting Diomaye

The PDS’s decision to back President Faye did not happen overnight. In July 2022, the party formed an electoral alliance with PASTEF to challenge Macky Sall’s ruling coalition in the legislative elections. This partnership aimed to consolidate opposition forces, but its scope was limited to electoral strategy.

By early 2024, as Senegal prepared for presidential elections, the PDS faced a critical dilemma. With party leader Karim Wade excluded from the race due to legal challenges, the party chose to endorse the Sonko–Faye ticket. This decision was driven not only by a shared opposition to the ruling party but also by Wade’s political ambitions. Exiled after his imprisonment, Wade sought to maintain influence over the country’s future governance.

While officially framed as a defense of democratic principles and a rejection of Amadou Ba’s candidacy, the PDS’s support for Faye served a dual purpose: preserving Wade’s political relevance and positioning the party for future negotiations within the new administration.

A fragile alliance: no long-term commitment from the PDS

Despite this temporary alignment, the PDS has maintained its independence, declining to integrate into the government or PASTEF’s coalition. Analysts suggest this support was never rooted in ideological alignment but rather in political calculation.

“The PDS has been in decline since losing power, and this move is an attempt to reposition itself within the political sphere,” explains Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of the E-Jicom journalism school in Dakar. “By aligning with Faye, they aim to regain influence and secure a place at the table of power.”

The party’s shifting alliances continued in late 2024 when it joined forces with former president Macky Sall’s APR coalition in legislative elections—a stark contrast to its earlier opposition. This fluidity reflects the PDS’s primary objective: survival in a rapidly changing political environment.

Opposition unites against Sonko’s reform agenda

The current standoff between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko has created an unexpected opportunity for Senegal’s fragmented opposition to coalesce. The PDS has seized this moment to publicly oppose the constitutional reforms, framing them as a power grab by Sonko.

In a strongly worded statement, the party urged its members and supporters to “block” the reforms and vote “no” in the referendum:

The PDS calls on all its militants, sympathizers, and the Senegalese people to mobilize and reject these reforms, which serve only Ousmane Sonko’s personal ambitions. These repeated attempts to alter our constitution betray a dangerous thirst for power and disregard for our republican institutions—the very foundations of our democracy and freedoms.

According to Hamadou Tidiane Sy, this opposition extends beyond the PDS: “The entire opposition is aligned in this stance, even if they do not explicitly endorse Faye. At its core, this movement is about rejecting Ousmane Sonko.”

Sonko’s radical rhetoric and confrontational approach have alienated many political actors, who now view him as an obstacle to national reconciliation. “He is increasingly seen as the disruptor—the one who undermines consensus and fuels division,” Sy notes.

A temporary convergence of interests

While the PDS’s support for Faye may appear strategic, analysts warn against assuming a lasting partnership. Most opposition figures opposing the reforms do not necessarily endorse the president’s agenda. Instead, their primary motivation is to counter Sonko’s influence.

“Those who oppose the amendments are not doing so to support Diomaye Faye,” Sy clarifies. “They oppose the process itself—a perceived attempt to centralize power within the legislature, stripping the presidency of its authority.”

He adds that the PDS’s alignment with Faye is a tactical move to address a specific crisis rather than a long-term ideological shift. “This is a circumstantial realignment aimed at restoring dialogue and consensus, which have long defined Senegal’s democratic tradition.”

Faye seeks to build a new political base

As internal divisions within PASTEF grow, President Faye is increasingly focused on consolidating his own political support. The PDS’s backing could prove valuable in this effort, especially as criticism of Sonko’s leadership intensifies.

“Faye no longer places his confidence in PASTEF as a reliable base,” Sy observes. “He is quietly building an alternative coalition—’Diomaye President’—to secure his political future beyond the current party structure.”

The analyst suggests that the breach between Faye and Sonko is now irreversible. “For PASTEF members, Faye is already a traitor. The term they use to describe him reflects the depth of this divide.”