Senegal’s Parliament Moves to Clear Path for Sonko’s Future Run

Senegal’s lawmakers just passed a new voting law that could let former opposition leader Ousmane Sonko run in the 2029 presidential race. The bill was approved with a large margin: 128 members voted for it, only 11 opposed and two stayed neutral. Sonko, who was barred from the 2024 election because of a court ruling, might face the same restriction again in 2029. The changes remove that legal hurdle and could make his candidacy possible. The move comes after a split between Sonko and the current president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won the 2024 vote. While Faye was chosen by Sonko’s own party, the two have disagreed on policy and leadership style.Some supporters think Sonko will aim for the presidency next time, so the new law could be a strategic step. The National Assembly adopted the bill through an emergency process that critics say was rushed. It will now go to the president, who can sign it or refuse. If he does not approve, opposition parties could still bring the issue to the Constitutional Council. Meanwhile, the government has also asked the public for input on broader constitutional changes. These include updates to the constitution itself, the electoral code, rules for political parties and the court that oversees elections. The draft reforms are open to discussion before a cabinet meeting.