Jonah Patel
Senegal's constitution has undergone several changes since the country gained independence from France in 1960. The first constitution was promulgated in 1959, with subsequent versions released in 1960, 1963, 2001 (revised in 2009 and 2016), and the most recent amendment in 2012. The country's constitutional history reflects a meandering path of rich and complex experiences, with various political systems and power dynamics at play. Senegal's current multiparty system, for example, stands in contrast to many other African states, and its constitutions have played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's political landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Constitution | 1959 |
| Second Constitution | 1960 |
| Third Constitution | 1963 |
| Fourth Constitution | 2001 |
| Fifth Constitution | 2016 |
| Multiparty System | Yes |
| Suffrage | Universal direct |
| Suffrage Age | 18 |
| Secular State | Yes |
| Rights | Human, individual and collective property, political, trade-union, and religious freedoms |
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What You'll Learn
Senegal's first constitution was in 1959
Senegal's first constitution was written in 1959, during a period of decolonization. The country, a former French colony, had gained independence from France in 1960 and briefly joined the Mali Federation, which broke up in August 1960. Leopold Sedar Senghor became Senegal's first elected president following his victory in the 1960 parliamentary elections.
The 1959 Constitution was the basic law of the federated state of Senegal within the Mali Federation. It established a parliamentary system with a two-tier executive structure. Senghor served as president, with Mamadou Dia as prime minister. However, conflict between the two leaders resulted in a failed coup led by Dia in 1962.
To avoid further power struggles, the parliamentary system was abolished in favour of a presidential system with an executive president. Senghor remained president until 1981, when he hand-picked Abdou Diouf to replace him. Diouf served four terms as president until he was defeated by opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade in the 2000 presidential election.
Senegal's constitutional history has been described as a complex and dynamic process, with several constitutions and draft constitutions produced since the country's first constitution in 1959. The country has continued to build and consolidate its democratic governance, introducing constitutional reforms to keep pace with changing times and the evolving political landscape in Africa.
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The 1960 amendment
The 1960 constitution established a two-tiered parliamentary system with Léopold Sédar Senghor as president and Mamadou Dia as prime minister. This system was short-lived, however, as conflict between the two heads of the executive resulted in a failed coup led by the Prime Minister in 1962. This coup led to a reconfiguration of the power structure in Senegal, with the parliamentary system being abolished in favour of a presidential system with strengthened executive powers.
Despite the various changes to the constitution, Senegal has maintained some degree of democratic governance since its independence. However, the country did experience a period of one-party rule from 1966 until a three-party system was reintroduced in 1978.
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The 1963 constitution
The Republic of Senegal is a former French colony in West Africa. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the area was influenced by the Mandingo empires to the east, and the Jolof Empire of Senegal was founded. After World War II, Senegal was introduced to universal suffrage, and in 1958, it became a semi-presidential system modelled on the fifth French Republic.
Senegal gained independence from France in 1960, and Leopold Sedar Senghor became its first elected president. The 1959 Constitution was the basic law of the federated state of Senegal within the Mali Federation, and the 1960 amendment was designed to reconfigure the state after the breakup of the federation. However, the 1960 Constitution also created a two-tier executive structure, with Senghor as president and Mamadou Dia as Prime Minister, which led to a conflict of power and a failed coup in 1962.
To avoid such conflicts in the future, the parliamentary system was abolished in a constitutional amendment (Law No. 63/22) in 1963, establishing a presidential system. This was Senegal's second key constitution, and the first constitution of an independent Senegal. The 1963 constitution was revised through March 1998.
Senegal has a multiparty system that is guaranteed by constitutional provision. Elections are contested by several parties representing a wide range of political views. The 1963 constitution was replaced by a new constitution in 2001, proclaiming fundamental human rights, respect for individual and collective property rights, political, trade-union, and religious freedoms, and a democratic and secular state.
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The 2001 constitution
The Republic of Senegal is a former French colony in West Africa that obtained independence in 1960. The country has had a complex constitutional history since its independence, with four constitutions in total. The first constitution was written in 1959, with subsequent constitutions in 1960, 1963, and 2001. The 2001 constitution, approved by voters in a January 2001 referendum, proclaims fundamental human rights, respect for individual and collective property rights, political, trade union, and religious freedoms, and a democratic and secular state. It provides for a strongly centralized presidential regime, with the president as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government.
Additionally, the 2001 Constitution provides for a Constitutional Council, a Supreme Court, a Court of Accounts, and Courts and Tribunals to uphold justice and interpret the law. It establishes the right of the opposition to oppose the government's policies and defines the status, rights, and duties of opposition members. The Constitution also addresses the relationship between executive and legislative powers, outlining the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government.
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The 2016 constitution
The Republic of Senegal is a former French colony in West Africa. The country gained independence from France in 1960 and has had a semi-presidential system of government since. Senegal has had four constitutions: in 1959, 1960, 1963, and 2001 (revised in 2016). The 2016 constitution, therefore, represents the latest iteration of Senegal's constitutional development, a process characterised by rich and complex experiences.
The constitution guarantees the opposition a legally defined status, rights, and duties. It establishes the representative assembly as the National Assembly, which exercises legislative power, votes on laws, oversees government actions, and evaluates public policies. The Deputies of the National Assembly are elected by universal direct suffrage for five-year terms. The Senegalese diaspora also elects Deputies, and the courts ensure the regularity of the electoral process.
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Frequently asked questions
The first constitution of Senegal was written in 1959.
Senegal has had four constitutions.
The most recent Senegalese constitution was written in 2001 and revised in 2016.
The 2001 constitution proclaims fundamental human rights, respect for individual and collective property rights, political, trade-union, and religious freedoms, and a democratic and secular state.
