Senegal's parliament debates controversial constitutional revision amid protests

On 29 June 2026 the Senegalese National Assembly will examine proposal no. 17/2026 to revise the Constitution. The ruling PASTEF parliamentary group, which holds 130 of the 165 seats, says the amendment can be adopted without a referendum. The draft would create a constitutional court, bar the president from heading a political party while in office, establish an independent body to organise elections and embed new rights such as universal access to electronic communications, digital inclusion, environmental protection and literacy.

Opposition parties, civil‑society platforms and former officials have mobilised against the process. The coalition Diomaye Président, former prime minister Aminata Touré and the Front for the Republic of Senegal (FPRS) denounce what they call a “grave democratic regression” and call for a popular referendum. The citizen movement Y’en a marre warns, “Le peuple sénégalais ne doit pas subir. Il doit décider.” Security forces are on alert as protests are expected around the parliament.

Tensions inside the chamber have already flared. During the plenary, deputy Ousmane Sonko ordered “Quittez le présidium ou je vous fais quitter” after fellow deputy Abdou Mbow attempted to speak out of turn. The debate is being described by observers as the most polarising political event of the year, with the outcome set to reshape Senegal’s institutional balance.