The President of the National Assembly doubts the referendum announced by President Diomaye Faye will actually take place, calling it a delaying maneuver. He also claims Pastef will win every upcoming election.
DAKAR — The constitutional revision bill, passed last week by the National Assembly, continues to generate reactions within Senegal’s political class. While the Justice Minister had announced before lawmakers the Head of State’s decision to submit the text to a referendum, Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly, has expressed skepticism about whether this popular vote will actually take place.
A Referendum Deemed Unlikely
Speaking on the sidelines of his party’s membership card launch ceremony on Saturday, the Pastef leader questioned the government’s genuine intention to hold the vote. “The referendum — if it happens at all. Because we all know this is just a bluff to buy time. But we all know they have no intention of organizing a referendum,” he stated.
He also challenged the opposition on the matter: “Let those who oppose only Pastef and Ousmane Sonko go ask the President when this referendum will be held, because Senegalese people need to know. And Senegalese people agree with this constitution.”
Confidence in Future Election Results
Beyond the referendum question, Ousmane Sonko expressed confidence in his party’s electoral prospects going forward. “Whether it’s the referendum, local elections, legislative elections if they are held, or the 2029 presidential election, no vote can be organized in Senegal without resulting in a victory for Pastef and its allies,” he asserted.
These statements come amid persistent tensions between the parliamentary majority and part of the opposition, against the backdrop of debate over the constitutional revision and its implementation timeline.
SENEWEB
