Senegalese Constitutional Council invalidates parliamentary amendments, revealing power fractures

The Council cited legal grounds, stating the reforms would incur new public expenditures without allocated funding, violating the Constitution. This ruling, while legal, has significant political implications, revealing a government still seeking balance after the opposition bloc's electoral victory. President Faye's move to refer the text to the Constitutional Council, despite the Assembly being dominated by Pastef, underscores his commitment to constitutional rules and the presidency's role in institutional checks and balances.

The proposed reforms included establishing a Constitutional Court, an independent electoral authority, limiting presidential prerogatives, and strengthening transparency. However, the decision also raises questions about who is truly driving change, especially with increasing signs of a rift between Diomaye Faye and Sonko, further fueled by the President's intention to form his own political party. This situation, while common in democracies where alliances face governance realities, also sends a reassuring signal in a West African context marked by institutional crises, demonstrating that political disagreements can be resolved through institutional processes rather than confrontation.

The Council's decision opens a new political phase, allowing for revised