Senegal Parliament Passes Reform Bill, Referendum Announced

Senegal’s National Assembly has passed a bill that changes the balance of power between the president and parliament, prompting President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to announce a national referendum on the matter.

The bill was adopted by an overwhelming majority in a tense atmosphere. The debate was marked by heated exchanges, an opposition boycott, and scuffles outside the Assembly where police used tear gas to disperse protesters, AFP journalists reported.

The measure was proposed by the Pastef party, led by Faye’s rival and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko. Faye dismissed Sonko in May, but he was quickly elected speaker of the Assembly, which Pastef controls with 130 of the 165 seats.

Justice Minister Moussa Sarr told lawmakers that the president had decided to put the adopted text to a referendum. The amendment strengthens the powers of parliament and the prime minister while reducing those of the president. Pastef says the reform aims to achieve a “better rebalancing of powers” among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in Senegal, which operates under a presidential system.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have criticised the move, warning it could destabilise governance. Presidential coalition leader Aminata Toure said the proposals were designed to weaken the president’s influence by boosting the authority of the National Assembly.

Tensions were evident during the debate. One opposition MP, who called for the vote to be postponed, refused to leave the podium after his motion was rejected. He was forcibly removed by gendarmes, prompting opposition MPs to walk out in protest, leaving only one behind.

Outside the Assembly, around 50 protesters, mostly from the Alliance for the Republic (APR), the party of former president Macky Sall, attempted to storm the building. Security forces repelled them with tear gas, and stones were thrown at police, who made several arrests.

The referendum announcement adds a new dimension to Senegal’s political crisis, which has deepened since Sonko’s dismissal and his rise as speaker. Analysts say the outcome could reshape Senegal’s political system by shifting power away from the presidency.

The referendum is expected to be a major test of public opinion, with both supporters and opponents mobilising to campaign. For many citizens, the vote will determine whether Senegal moves toward a more parliamentary driven system or maintains its strong presidential model.