Senegal police fire tear gas at constitutional reform protesters
The bill would expand parliamentary oversight of natural resource deals and create a Constitutional Court, while critics call it political revenge.
- Yesterday, Senegal's National Assembly adopted a controversial constitutional amendment shifting power from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to the legislature, with the government announcing plans for a national referendum.
- Pastef, led by National Assembly Speaker Ousmane Sonko, holds 130 of 165 seats, enabling the party to advance the measure, which aims for a "better rebalancing of powers" among the branches.
- The amendment proposes replacing the Constitutional Council with a nine-member Constitutional Court, up from seven, and restricts the president's power to dissolve the National Assembly.
- Around 50 demonstrators gathered yesterday to denounce the changes, chanting "Hands off my Constitution!" as police used tear gas, while opposition MPs walked out in protest.
- Justice Minister Moussa Sarr confirmed the government will submit the adopted text to a national referendum, though a presidential coalition leader warned that "parliament is being used to weaken the president.
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32 Articles
This bill, launched by the formation of the former Prime Minister and current President of the Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, who was dismissed in May by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aims at a "better rebalancing of prerogatives" between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of Senegal, a country with a presidential regime.
The Toronto Star
Senegalese lawmakers pass divisive reform curbing presidential powers
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Members of Senegal's National Assembly on Monday adopted a controversial constitutional amendment that expands their role and reduces presidential powers, but the government said it will
Senegal president Faye to call referendum on constitutional reform limiting his powers
Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will call a referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment that would strengthen the power of parliament and the prime minister, the country's justice minister said Monday. The country's National Assembly overwhelmingly backed the reform in a vote earlier in the day that saw roughly 50 opposition protesters attempt to storm the building.
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