Tear Gas Outside Senegal’s Parliament as Constitutional Reform Sparks Unrest

Critics of the bill argue that the proposed reforms, specifically a clause prohibiting a sitting president from holding leadership roles in a political party, threaten the nation’s delicate governmental balance. While the ruling party, under the guidance of Speaker Ousmane Sonko, continues to press for the overhaul, a coalition backing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has publicly demanded the bill be withdrawn immediately to prevent further instability. The legislation is currently slated for a national referendum following a successful initial vote by lawmakers, leaving the country at a precarious political impasse.