Key facts
- Senegal's Constitutional Court declared a recent constitutional amendment unconstitutional.
- The amendment, passed by parliament on June 29, aimed to alter the balance of power.
- A key provision would have prevented the sitting president from leading a political party.
- President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had requested the court's review of the amendment.
- Ousmane Sonko, who leads the ruling Pastef party, respected the court's ruling.
Senegal's top court has declared a constitutional amendment, passed by parliament last month, to be "contrary to the Constitution." The amendment, adopted by the assembly on June 29, included a provision that would have prohibited a sitting president from leading a political party. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had requested the Constitutional Court to review the lawmakers' procedures to detect violations that would invalidate the reform. Critics viewed the proposed changes as an attempt by Ousmane Sonko, the parliament speaker and leader of the ruling Pastef party, to consolidate power. Faye had previously dismissed Sonko as head of government in May. Sonko stated on X that he respected the court's decision. The political developments surrounding the split between former allies Faye and Sonko could potentially complicate Senegal's efforts to address a crisis stemming from the disclosure of misreported debt in 2024.