Keypoints:
- Senegal passes law that could restore Sonko’s eligibility
- Reform targets rules that barred him in 2024
- Bill now awaits presidential approval and possible court challenge
SENEGAL’S National Assembly has approved sweeping electoral reforms that could reopen the path for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to contest the 2029 presidential election, marking a pivotal shift in Senegal’s political trajectory.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill on April 28, 2026, with 128 votes in support, 11 against and two abstentions, according to Reuters. The legislation, introduced under an expedited procedure, amends key provisions in Senegal’s electoral code that had previously barred certain candidates from standing for office.
Why the reform matters
The reforms directly address legal restrictions that excluded Sonko from the 2024 presidential race, potentially reshaping Senegal’s political landscape ahead of 2029 while signalling a broader push by the current administration to overhaul governance and electoral systems.
From exclusion to renewed ambition
Sonko, 51, was disqualified from the 2024 election following a defamation ruling that barred him from the race.
In his absence, his close ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye contested the vote and secured a decisive victory, later appointing Sonko as prime minister.
Momentum has since shifted. Efforts to reverse his disqualification have gathered pace, while growing tensions within Senegal’s leadership have intensified scrutiny of the country’s broader reform agenda.
The newly approved amendments are widely seen as targeting the legal provisions that previously blocked his candidacy, fuelling expectations of a potential presidential bid in 2029.
Bill awaits presidential assent
The bill will now be sent to President Faye, who must decide whether to sign it into law. If approved, the amendments would remove a key legal obstacle to Sonko’s eligibility.
However, the process may face further scrutiny. Opposition parties have indicated they could challenge the legislation before Senegal’s Constitutional Council, raising the possibility of a legal dispute over its validity, according to constitutional experts.
Critics argue the reforms appear tailored to benefit a specific political figure, while government supporters insist they form part of a broader democratic modernisation agenda.
Broader reforms signal systemic overhaul
The electoral changes come alongside a wider reform push by the presidency. Draft proposals covering the constitution, political party regulations and the role of the Constitutional Council have been released for public consultation ahead of cabinet discussions.
Analysts say these combined reforms could significantly reshape Senegal’s governance framework, affecting electoral competition, judicial oversight and institutional balance.
Senegal has long been regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, but recent political tensions and economic pressures—including debt negotiations and internal leadership dynamics—have raised questions about the country’s reform trajectory.
Outlook: a defining moment for 2029 race
While the immediate impact hinges on presidential approval and possible legal challenges, the political implications are already clear.
If enacted, the reforms would return Sonko—one of Senegal’s most influential political figures—to the centre of presidential politics ahead of 2029, setting the stage for a highly contested race.
