Delivering an address on national television Tuesday night regarding a series of constitutional revision proposals he had asked the Constitutional Council to make a decision on, he said:
“The decisions of the Constitutional Council are not subject to any appeal. They are binding on public authorities and all administrative and judicial authorities.”
In their decision, the Constitutional Council premised that as he was elected for a mandate of seven years, it is only proper that he serves that mandate and any reduction of the mandate must be done afterwards.
President Sall then went on to propose March 20 as the date of a referendum to decide on the constitutional changes he proposed.
“In light of the above I will call a referendum on Sunday, March 20, 2016. If I chose this path, instead of the parliamentary way, it is because the referendum is the best guarantee of ownership of the people for reform.
“I believe, indeed, that among the forms of governance established between people, democracy means the last word always comes back to the people as the foundation and source of legitimacy of power,” he said.
“Therefore, I will ensure that all aspects of the constitutional amendment comply with the decision of the Constitutional Council.”