Senegal's National Assembly descended into chaos after opposition lawmaker Abdou Mbow was forcibly removed during a stormy parliamentary session on constitutional reform proposals.
The dramatic scenes unfolded on June 29 as lawmakers debated a controversial constitutional reform bill backed by the ruling PASTEF party.
Tensions escalated when Mbow refused to leave the parliamentary podium after attempting to introduce a procedural motion seeking to suspend the proceedings.
Presiding Speaker Ousmane Sonko ordered security officers to remove the legislator, triggering a physical confrontation inside the chamber.
Video footage from the session showed security officers forcibly escorting Mbow away as lawmakers shouted, shoved one another and exchanged blows.
The incident prompted opposition MPs to stage a walkout in protest.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament after being ejected from the chamber, Mbow accused Sonko of acting like a dictator and lacking the leadership qualities to preside over the National Assembly.
"No security force or army will be able to make us retreat. We will continue to say no to this regime. Sonko, the Speaker of the National Assembly, is a dictator. He is incapable of leading a neighbourhood, let alone the National Assembly."
Outside Parliament, police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered to oppose the proposed constitutional amendments.
Protesters argued that the reforms were being rushed through without adequate public consultation.
The proposed reforms seek to significantly reduce presidential powers by strengthening Parliament's authority.
Among the key provisions is a measure barring a sitting president from simultaneously serving as the leader of a political party, a move supporters say would reinforce the separation of powers and strengthen democratic governance.
The parliamentary showdown comes amid growing political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Speaker Sonko, who were once close political allies.
Their relationship deteriorated in May after Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister.
Sonko later returned to Parliament and was subsequently elected Speaker of the National Assembly.
Despite the chaotic scenes, the constitutional reform bill was eventually passed.
Opposition leaders accused the ruling coalition of using its parliamentary majority to push through sweeping constitutional changes without broad political consensus.