The recent constitutional reform in Senegal has emerged against a backdrop of heightened political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former prime minister, Ousmane Sonko. Following Sonko's dismissal from the prime ministerial position in May, he was swiftly elected as the president of the National Assembly, a move that has intensified the rivalry between the two leaders.

The political landscape in Senegal is currently charged, with the Pastef party, led by Sonko, holding a significant majority in the National Assembly. This shift in power dynamics has prompted concerns among Faye's supporters, particularly from the Alliance for the Republic (APR), the party of former president Macky Sall, who have expressed fears that the parliamentary reforms are designed to undermine the presidency.

On June 29, 2026, Senegal's National Assembly passed a controversial constitutional amendment aimed at redistributing power between the executive and legislative branches. The reform seeks to enhance the role of parliament while curtailing the powers of the president, a significant shift in Senegal's political framework.

The proposed changes include the establishment of a Constitutional Court to replace the existing Constitutional Council, which is expected to play a crucial role in overseeing the balance of power. The government has indicated that the amendment will be subject to a national referendum, allowing the public to weigh in on this pivotal change.

In response to the Assembly's decision, President Faye announced plans to hold a national referendum on the constitutional reform. This move is seen as an attempt to legitimize the changes through public approval, amidst growing dissent from opposition groups and concerns over the implications for presidential authority.

The announcement of the referendum has sparked protests from Faye's opponents, who argue that the reforms are a strategic maneuver to weaken the presidency. As the political climate continues to evolve, the outcome of the referendum will be critical in determining the future balance of power in Senegal.