Government abandons constitutional referendum after Constitutional Council rejection

This decision follows the Constitutional Council's rejection of the proposed bill for constitutional revision. Minister Diop, speaking on the Grand Jury program on Sunday, July 12, 2026, stated unequivocally that the referendum option is now off the table. He emphasized that the project from the national dialogue in Diamniadio is now a thing of the past, especially after the Constitutional Council's ruling.

However, Diop assured that institutional reforms are not abandoned. He indicated that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will personally resume the initiative to modernize the Constitution and fulfill his commitments. The reforms will now proceed through the classic legislative procedure as draft bills, with their examination awaiting the resumption of parliamentary work, as the National Assembly is currently on a three-month recess.