In a bold stance on the ongoing constitutional reform debate, the PDS has called on Senegalese citizens to vote « No » in the upcoming referendum, sharply criticizing the proposed changes and their perceived architect, Ousmane Sonko.
The Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), led by Karim Wade, acknowledged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s initiative to engage the public through a national referendum on constitutional amendments. However, the party dismissed the reforms as a threat to the nation’s democratic foundations and institutional stability.
Why the PDS opposes the constitutional revisions
The PDS argues that the proposed modifications are not driven by national interest but rather by personal ambitions linked to Sonko. In a strongly worded statement, the party warned that these changes could undermine the very pillars of Senegal’s republican democracy, including its constitutional order and separation of powers.
Warnings of political destabilization
The party accused Sonko of attempting to destabilize institutions to advance his political agenda, claiming that such moves risk plunging the country into a deeper socio-economic crisis. The PDS also condemned recent political violence, including an incident involving opposition deputy Abdou Mbow, and placed responsibility for these acts on Sonko’s party, Pastef.
The PDS urged President Faye and judicial authorities to take decisive action to protect the country’s institutions, civil peace, and public freedoms. Their call to action underscores the high stakes of the constitutional referendum, which has become a flashpoint in Senegal’s political landscape.
