MPs of the former presidential majority failed to support President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s proposal to abolish the CESE and the HCCT.

On the night of Monday, September 2, the National Assembly of Senegal rejected the bill to revise the Constitution, proposed by President Faye on August 27. The bill was defeated by 83 votes to 80 after a marathon plenary session. Benno Bokk Yaakaar (Bby, “Together for the Same Hope”), the former ruling coalition, holds a majority in Parliament.

The proposed bill aimed to eliminate two institutions: the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) and the High Council of Local Authorities (HCCT). The government presented this measure as a step towards institutional and budgetary rationalization.

However, this rejection could have unforeseen consequences. According to some media sources, President Faye, currently in China for the China-Africa summit, is considering dissolving the National Assembly. These sources report that the Senegalese head of state has already consulted the Constitutional Council and received approval to proceed with the dissolution.