In Sénégal, the Parti démocratique sénégalais (PDS) is actively campaigning for a “no” vote in the upcoming constitutional reform referendum. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently initiated this popular consultation, allowing the public to decide the fate of a law that has sparked intense national debate.

This legislative text, which received approval from the National Assembly, was originally proposed by Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party. It aims to expand parliamentary authority while significantly curtailing the powers held by the Head of State. By rejecting the reform, the PDS has effectively sided with the President, a move that aligns with the historical trajectory of Abdoulaye Wade’s party.

The evolution of the PDS-Diomaye connection

The roots of this cooperation trace back to the July 2022 legislative elections, when the PDS teamed up with Pastef to challenge Macky Sall’s administration. By the March 2024 presidential election, the PDS took a more definitive stance by endorsing the Ousmane Sonko–Bassirou Diomaye Faye ticket. This decision came after Karim Wade, the party’s primary candidate, was disqualified from the race.

This endorsement was pivotal, as it allowed Bassirou Diomaye Faye to tap into a much broader voter base. While the official narrative focused on upholding the rule of law and defeating the incumbent candidate Amadou Ba, the PDS also had its own motivations. The party blamed Macky Sall’s camp for Karim Wade’s exclusion and hoped to maintain political relevance through a new executive branch.

A relationship defined by distance

Despite their electoral cooperation, a formal long-term alliance never materialized. Once Bassirou Diomaye Faye assumed the presidency, the PDS remained outside the government, choosing to maintain its independence from both Pastef and the broader presidential coalition.

Political analyst Hamadou Tidiane Sy, who leads the E-Jicom journalism school in Dakar, suggests that this relationship was born of political survival rather than shared ideology. He notes that after losing power, the PDS faced a significant decline and viewed a proximity to the new administration as a way to regain its footing in the political arena.

Interestingly, the PDS later shifted its strategy during the late 2024 snap legislative elections, briefly aligning with Macky Sall’s APR party. This suggests that the PDS was waiting for the radical approach of the new leadership to lose its appeal.

Blocking Ousmane Sonko’s agenda

The growing friction between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko has provided the PDS with a fresh opportunity to exert influence. The party has voiced its support for the President’s decision to hold a referendum, while simultaneously urging citizens to vote against the proposed institutional changes.

In a formal statement, the PDS called on its members and the wider Senegalese public to block the reforms championed by Sonko. The party argues that these constitutional amendments are driven by Sonko’s personal ambitions and represent a threat to the republican institutions that safeguard the nation’s democracy.

Hamadou Tidiane Sy observes that this sentiment is shared by much of the opposition. While they may not be fully joining Diomaye Faye’s camp, their primary goal is to signal their rejection of Ousmane Sonko’s radical rhetoric, which many now view as an obstacle to national reconciliation.

A temporary convergence of interests

The current alignment is likely more about circumstance than a permanent strategic shift. Opponents of the constitutional changes are not necessarily endorsing the President’s overall platform; rather, they are pushing back against what they perceive as an attempt by Sonko to centralize power within the Parliament.

The increasingly exclusive nature of Pastef has pushed various political factions toward the President, if only temporarily. This convergence is seen as a way to resolve immediate tensions and return the country to a path of consensus-based democracy.

Diomaye Faye’s search for independent support

For President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, this political reshuffling offers a chance to strengthen his own position. As internal criticism within Pastef grows, the President is looking to solidify his personal political foundation. Support from established groups like the PDS could prove vital in the future.

There are signs that the President is already looking beyond his original party. Analysts suggest that the rift with Pastef is deep, with some within the party already viewing Faye’s actions as a betrayal. Consequently, the President appears focused on bolstering his “Diomaye Président” coalition as he prepares for future political challenges.