During a press briefing held by the Diomaye Président coalition, Minister Abdourahmane Diouf delivered a sharp rebuke of National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, dismissing his calls for constitutional reform as destabilizing.
The minister emphasized that under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s leadership, Senegal’s institutional stability and social peace remain unshaken, pointing to the president’s 2024 assurances to preserve these foundations. He also revisited last year’s electoral process, noting that Sonko had initially advocated for delaying the presidential vote before later endorsing Faye’s candidacy.
Today, Diouf argued, Sonko appears to have abandoned that alignment, accusing him of betraying the president and engaging in political manipulation amid ongoing institutional reform discussions. The minister went further, highlighting that previous presidents, despite holding parliamentary majorities, never used their power to alter the Constitution in such a manner. He suggested that if they had, today’s reform proponents would lack the platform to push their agenda.
In a particularly pointed remark, Diouf mocked Sonko’s self-proclaimed role as a “revolutionary guardian,” questioning how such a stance aligns with his current responsibilities as head of the National Assembly. “We have no use for a guide de perlimpinpin…,” he declared, using a dismissive phrase to underscore his disapproval.
Constitutional reforms spark sharp political divisions
The minister’s remarks underscore the deepening rift within Senegal’s political landscape, where debates over constitutional revisions have intensified. While some factions advocate for sweeping changes to the country’s legal framework, others warn of potential dangers to democratic stability. The government, however, maintains that its proposals are designed to strengthen governance and protect national unity.
Election dynamics and shifting alliances
The 2024 electoral cycle remains a focal point in the current discourse. Diouf’s critique of Sonko’s past positions highlights the fluid nature of political alliances in Senegal, where strategic shifts can reshape the balance of power overnight. The minister’s accusations of betrayal and manipulation suggest a growing mistrust between key figures in the ruling coalition and the opposition.
