Senegal’s Constitutional Court has rejected a controversial constitutional amendment proposed by the ruling Pastef party, deeming it unconstitutional.

The reform aimed to restrict sitting presidents from leading political parties, a move that directly impacted President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s plans to establish his own party.

The decision highlights deepening political tensions between Faye and parliament speaker Ousmane Sonko, who previously served as Prime Minister under Faye before being dismissed in May.Critics argue the amendment was an attempt by Sonko to consolidate power through legal changes rather than traditional political means.The court’s ruling comes amid Senegal’s ongoing fiscal crisis, exacerbated by misreported debt figures from 2024 that damaged investor confidence.The split between Faye and Sonko threatens to complicate efforts to stabilize the nation’s economy and restore trust with international partners.

While Sonko acknowledged the court’s decision on social media, underlying tensions remain unresolved, underscoring the judiciary’s role in maintaining democratic balance.