Senegal Weakens Presidential Power While Sahel Neighbors Strengthen Theirs

Senegal's National Assembly approved a constitutional amendment on June 29 that shifts authority from the presidency to parliament—reversing decades of executive dominance. The move contrasts sharply with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, which have suspended or rewritten constitutions to concentrate executive power during electoral transitions. Prime Minister Sonko and President Faye codified these constraints before elections, limiting the room for presidential overreach that has destabilized the region.