Senegal political rift intensifies after Sonko ends partnership with president

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko disclosed on Tuesday that his political alliance with President Macky Sall collapsed after the president advanced a constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek a second term in office. Sonko, who heads the Pastef‑Liberté party, said the partnership ended when Sall’s government began drafting the reform without consulting opposition parties, a move he described as “a breach of the national dialogue that had been agreed upon after the 2022 elections.” The revelation came during a press conference in Dakar, where Sonko also reiterated his opposition to any changes that could extend presidential tenure.

The announcement has intensified an already volatile political climate, as lawmakers and civil‑society groups debate the legality of the proposed amendment. The National Assembly, dominated by Sall’s coalition, voted to fast‑track the bill, prompting Sonko and other opposition figures to file a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court. International observers have warned that the dispute could undermine Senegal’s democratic transition, while the president’s office maintains that the amendment follows constitutional procedures and reflects the will of the electorate.

As the constitutional standoff deepens, both sides are preparing for possible street protests and parliamentary confrontations. The Supreme Court is slated to deliver a ruling on the amendment’s compatibility with the 2001 constitution within the next two weeks, a decision that will determine whether Senegal’s political partnership can be restored or if the country will face a prolonged crisis.