DAKAR — Members of Senegal's National Assembly adopted a constitutional amendment on Monday, June 29, 2026. The amendment expands the role of the National Assembly and reduces presidential powers. The government of Senegal stated the amendment will be put to a referendum.

The reform requires the government to inform the legislature of agreements related to the exploitation of natural resources. It also expands the powers of parliamentary inquiry committees. The reform proposes the creation of a Constitutional Court, which would replace the current Constitutional Council. The proposed Constitutional Court would be composed of nine members, while the current Constitutional Council has seven members.

The reform makes the functions of head of state and leader of a political party incompatible. It limits the decisions that can be made by the executive branch between the presidential election and the official proclamation of the results. The reform also imposes stricter controls on the president's power to dissolve the National Assembly.

Ousmane Sonko, the former prime minister of Senegal, was elected president of the National Assembly last month. He had been dismissed from his position as prime minister. His party, Pastef, proposed the constitutional reform initiative. Bassirou Diomaye Faye is the current President of Senegal.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building in Dakar on June 29, 2026. Police fired tear gas at the demonstrators and detained several opposition leaders and activists. The government did not specify when the referendum will take place.