The constitutional overhaul, recently announced by Senegalese authorities, is now progressing into an extensive consultation phase. A delegation from the Civil Society Coalition for the Implementation of the National Assizes’ Conclusions and the National Institutional Reform Commission’s Recommendations recently convened with the Takku Wallu parliamentary group, a prominent opposition bloc within the National Assembly. This significant meeting marks a crucial step in preparing for an anticipated robust public debate, particularly as the executive, under the leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has prioritized institutional foundational reform.
A cross-party dialogue on constitutional revision
The civil society’s initiative aims to secure clear commitments from various political factions regarding the content and timeline of the constitutional revision. The National Assizes, which commenced in 2008 following a broad political and citizen-led effort, produced a comprehensive set of recommendations. These included proposals for limiting presidential terms, enhancing the separation of powers, and modernizing public administration. Subsequent work by the National Institutional Reform Commission (CNRI), led by constitutional expert Amadou Mahtar Mbow in 2013, further developed these ideas, though not all of its recommendations were ultimately implemented.
The citizen coalition specifically intends to re-center these foundational texts within the parliamentary discourse. By engaging with Takku Wallu, they are sending a clear political message: institutional reform cannot be solely the domain of a ruling majority, regardless of its size. The parliamentary group, comprising deputies aligned with former President Macky Sall and other liberal sensibilities, holds significant influence in scrutinizing and proposing counter-arguments to upcoming organic law projects.
Takku Wallu, a political interlocutor in transition
For the political formation now led by the successors of the Alliance for the Republic, these consultations present a strategic platform. Following Pastef’s decisive victory 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, involving preliminary listening before any formal stance is adopted, allows both parties to explore the terrain without making irreversible commitments.
The key topics expected to fuel these discussions are well-known. These include the potential abolition or retention of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, reforms to the Constitutional Council, the framework governing the Head of State’s powers, the role of the Prime Minister, and the official status of the opposition, all points inherited from the National Assizes. Additionally, the electoral system is a significant subject, with several voices advocating for the introduction of a partial proportional representation system to better reflect political pluralism.
A tight schedule for a major institutional undertaking
The executive branch has indicated that a draft revision could be presented to Parliament in the coming months. However, constitutional timelines mandate strict procedures. Any substantial alteration to the Fundamental Law requires either a qualified three-fifths vote by deputies or a national referendum. In a legislative chamber where Pastef commands an overwhelming majority, the parliamentary route appears technically feasible. Nevertheless, the executive has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of a popular consultation to firmly embed the reform’s legitimacy.
This potential for a referendum underscores the importance of the ongoing consultations. A mobilized civil society, coupled with an opposition involved from the outset, significantly reduces the risk of a polarized debate during the campaign phase. Conversely, a process perceived as unilateral could expose the reform to challenges similar to those that surrounded the 2016 revision under Macky Sall, which was characterized by high abstention rates.
In practical terms, the coming weeks are expected to see the citizen coalition extend its meetings to other parliamentary groups, including Pastef itself, as well as to parties not represented in the Assembly. The primary objective is to build a foundation of minimal consensus before the official commencement of the legislative work. For Dakar, the credibility of the institutional reform promise, championed since March 2024, will largely depend on the quality of this preparatory process.
