Ousmane Sonko clarifies constitutional review process at National Assembly, addresses Bassirou Diomaye Faye
via SeneNews3 min read
At the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, the President of the National Assembly, clarified the constitutional review initiative during a plenary session. He stated that the process, initiated by deputies and seeking an opinion from the executive, strictly adheres to legal frameworks, countering what he described as erroneous public interpretations. Sonko confirmed that the request for an opinion on the constitutional revision bill was handled according to Article 103 of the Constitution, granting him discretionary power. He communicated the conclusions to the proposal's authors, leaving it to the President of the Republic to decide whether to inform the public. Sonko emphasized that in the Senegalese democratic model, only the people and the national representation hold constitutional legitimacy. He asserted that the parliamentary initiative is a structural step in the reform process, falling within the legislative institution's prerogatives, and that the initial objective of stimulating constitutional reform has been met. Addressing political interpretations, Sonko dismissed notions of institutional tension or pressure on the executive, stating, "No ultimatum has been given to the President of the Republic." He indicated that the next steps depend on constitutional options available after the text's adoption, giving the President of the Republic two choices: returning it to the National Assembly for a three-fifths majority vote or submitting it to a referendum. Sonko warned
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Following Senegal's 3-2 loss to Norway in the 2026 World Cup, Al-Nassr forward Sadio Man茅 expressed his disappointment but acknowledged Norway's deserved victory. Man茅 stated that the team was not at its best level, leading to their second defeat in the tournament. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about Senegal's chances of qualifying for the round of sixteen, emphasizing the need for the team to regroup quickly and prepare for the next match.
Senegal's qualification for the 2026 World Cup as one of the best third-placed teams depends on two key factors: a victory in their final match against Iraq and unfavorable results for several direct competitors. The team is no longer fully in control of its destiny, requiring specific outcomes from other matches to advance. For teams currently with 3 points, such as Scotland, Sweden, Algeria, and Paraguay, a win would significantly improve their chances, so Senegal needs them to lose or draw. For teams with 2 points, like Belgium and Cape Verde, a win would put them in a dangerous qualification zone for Senegal, making a draw or loss for them desirable. Even teams with 1 point, including Portugal, Czechia, Ecuador, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, pose a potential threat, as a win could quickly elevate them in the standings. Panama, currently with 0 points, could also become a factor if they secure late victories. Crucially, Senegal must secure a victory against Iraq, ideally with a significant goal difference, as a minimal win might not be enough if other teams perform similarly but with better goal differences.
Must ReadOusmane Sonko, president of Senegal's National Assembly, has formally denied allegations of issuing an ultimatum to the head of state concerning the constitutional review process. Speaking before deputies, Sonko clarified that interpretations suggesting institutional tension or pressure on the presidency are false. He emphasized that the parliamentary procedure is strictly within the constitutional prerogatives of the Parliament and does not involve confrontation with the executive. Sonko explained that the initiative aims to advance an institutional project that has been part of public debate for several months, asserting that it falls under derived constituent power, guided by the Constitution and Constitutional Council jurisprudence. He cited a 2006 Constitutional Council decision as a reference confirming the National Assembly's capacity to conduct a review with a qualified three-fifths majority. Sonko stated there is no crisis at the top of the state, but rather a normal functioning of institutions through a "dialogue of powers," where each constitutional body exercises its competencies without encroaching on others, under the Constitutional Council's oversight. He rejected any notion of institutional confrontation, affirming that the National Assembly's approach is neither usurpation nor pressure on the executive. Sonko concluded that the constitutional review process will continue according to current provisions, regardless of the executive's formal opinion, stressing