Sonko Eyes Presidency as Senegal's Electoral Code Changes

0:00It's April 28th. You're listening to Global News today, AI-powered global coverage. Senegal's National Assembly just passed major tweaks to the electoral code this Tuesday. The move could clear the path for Prime Minister Olsmein Sanko to run for president in 2029. Lawmakers dominated by his paystaff party approved it overwhelmingly. Sanko, the 51-year-old opposition firebrand, sat out the 2024 race due to a conviction that might have blocked him again. He backed Bassaroo Diyomayi Faye, who won the presidency instead. Lately, tensions have grown between the two leaders. Opposition groups ripped the bill's emergency rollout as a power grab. Still, it got 128 yes votes, 11 noes, and two abstentions in the pro-pass-staff chamber. The changes target rules that disqualified Sanko before. Now the bill heads to president Faye, who decides if it becomes law. Critics plan to challenge it at the Constitutional Council.

1:00Meanwhile, the presidency unveiled draft reforms on the Constitution, elections, parties, and the top court for public feedback. Eyes stay glued on this power play as Sanko eyes the throne, and Senegal's politics simmers ahead.